Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for stage 1 hypertension: protocol for a randomized controlled pilot...

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Hypertension significantly contributes to cardiovascular diseases, with challenges in blood pressure control and medication adherence.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) is explored for hypertension treatment, but robust scientific evidence is limited.
• This study addresses the need for evidence on TEAS efficacy in managing stage 1 hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) on blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension.
• To explore the feasibility and potential clinical efficacy of TEAS as a complementary treatment for hypertension.
• To inform the design of future large-scale randomized controlled trials.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients with stage 1 hypertension.
• The intervention group received 12 weeks of home-based TEAS (30 min/session, 4 times/week) at specific acupoints.
• The control group received standard lifestyle education; both groups received lifestyle advice.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome: change in mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks.
• Secondary outcomes: changes in diastolic blood pressure, quality of life, BMI, and physical activity level.
• The study will report on the feasibility and safety of TEAS in this population.

Conclusions:

• This pilot randomized controlled trial will assess the feasibility of TEAS for stage 1 hypertension.
• It aims to provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy and safety of TEAS.
• Findings will guide sample size determination for subsequent larger trials.