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Behavioural Intervention

Electro-Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Liang-Wu Fu, MD, PhD

Research Sponsored by University of California, Irvine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Patients with mild coronary disease, and no significant ECG change reflecting ischemia at rest

Patients with high blood pressure with or without antihypertensive medication

Must not have

Individuals with severe coronary disease (continuous angina)

Cardiac arrhythmias associated with low blood pressure (90 mmHg)

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 8 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test whether EA can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults with high blood pressure, which can be with or without current medication. It's also open to those with mild heart disease but no serious ECG changes. However, it's not for pregnant women, individuals with severe heart issues like ongoing chest pain, peripheral vascular disease, certain ECG abnormalities, orthopedic conditions, skin sensitivities to tapes/dressings, very low blood pressure-related arrhythmias or uncontrolled diabetes and psychological conditions.

What is being tested?

The study is testing whether electro-acupuncture (EA) can help lower high blood pressure. Participants will receive either the test EA treatment or a control version of EA. The hypothesis is that EA could have beneficial effects on hypertension based on earlier research in animals and humans.

What are the potential side effects?

Potential side effects from electro-acupuncture may include minor bruising at needle sites, light-headedness during or after treatment, fatigue, headache or temporary soreness. Severe side effects are rare but might involve allergic reactions to the needles' metal if sensitivity exists.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I have mild heart disease with no significant changes in my resting ECG.

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I have high blood pressure, with or without medication.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have severe heart disease with constant chest pain.

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I have heart rhythm problems with low blood pressure.

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I have peripheral vascular disease.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 8 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~8 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 8 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

blood pressure

Secondary study objectives

Heart rate

Catecholamines

Renin

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Electro-acupuncture testExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Blood pressure will be recorded before and after each EA treatment for 8 weeks. The course is a once a week 8-week treatment. Intervention is the active Electro-acupuncture treatment.

Group II: Electro-acupuncture controlExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Blood pressure will be recorded before and after each EA treatment for 8 weeks. The course is a once a week 8-week treatment. Intervention is the Electro-acupuncture control treatment.

0 / 5Eligibility criteria met