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Efficacy on Walking Ability of Electroacupuncture Therapy in Elderly Patients With Sarcopenia
Sponsor: The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Summary
Introduction: The efficacy of existing therapies for the treatment of sarcopenia is still not satisfactory. Therefore, this randomized controlled, assessor-blinded study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture(EA) therapy in elderly patients with sarcopenia. Methods and analysis: This randomized controlled trial will enroll 120 elderly patients with sarcopenia. Subjects will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either EA combined with rehabilitation training group or rehabilitation training group through a central computerized randomization system. Primary outcome measure is lower limb mobility, including 6-minute walk test、timed get up and go test, and short physical performance battery. Secondary outcome measures include lower limb muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength. Outcome assessment will be conducted before the intervention, at 12 weeks after the intervention and at the end of the 12-week follow-up. Adverse reactions will be evaluated during the trial. Conclusion: This research will provide evidence to clarify whether EA is effective and safe in the treatment of sarcopenia.
Official title: Efficacy on Walking Ability of Electroacupuncture Therapy in Elderly Patients With Sarcopenia：a Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - 95 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2022-07-02
Completion Date
2026-12-31
Last Updated
2026-02-24
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
electroacupuncture
Participants are required to be in the supine position. Routine disinfection first. Participants are then subjected to acupuncture and achieve deqi sensation at all acupuncture points. Four paired of acupuncture points (i.e. Biguan acupoints and Futu points; Yanglingquan acupoints and Zusanli acupoints, identical on both sides) are connected to the EA devices. EA parameter is set as sparse wave and frequency is 2Hz. The intensity of the EA is determined by the patients' tolerance. Needles will be left in place and each session of EA will last 30 minutes. Participants will undergo a total of 36 EA sessions, with the frequency of 3 sessions every week for 12 weeks.
Rehabilitation Training
The rehabilitation training group will be only treated with the Otago exercise program(OEP). Otago Exercise combines resistance exercise, balance training and aerobic walking and is an exercise prescription for elderly patients with sarcopenia. 1. Exercise: including warm-up exercise (5 minutes) + resistance exercise (20 minutes) + balance training (5 minutes). Training intensity: 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, once every other day, 12 weeks of training period; resistance exercise gradually increases the load. 2. Walking program: Take a walk. Activity intensity: 30 minutes each time, 2 times a week, combined with exercise (walking during the interval between exercise sessions), 12 weeks of training period
Locations (1)
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China