Brief Summary Template for the Study: The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether electroacupuncture can treat functional dyspepsia (FD) in adult participants aged 18 to 65 years, including both males and females, who have been diagnosed with functional dyspepsia based on the Rome IV criteria. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does 5 Hz electroacupuncture improve symptoms in functional dyspepsia patients? * Does 100 Hz electroacupuncture improve symptoms in functional dyspepsia patients? * Are there differences in the efficacy between 5 Hz and 100 Hz electroacupuncture in treating functional dyspepsia and its subtypes (PDS and EPS)? Researchers will compare the effects of 5 Hz electroacupuncture, 100 Hz electroacupuncture, and sham electroacupuncture to determine which approach provides more significant symptom relief and whether different frequencies have varying impacts on FD subtypes. Participants will: * Receive electroacupuncture treatment at specific acupoints (such as Liangmen, Tianshu, Zusanli, and Xiajuxu) for 30-minute sessions, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. * Be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 5 Hz electroacupuncture, 100 Hz electroacupuncture, or sham electroacupuncture (control). * Have their functional dyspepsia symptoms, quality of life, and any adverse effects monitored and evaluated throughout the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
180
Intervention Description: The intervention in this study involves the use of electroacupuncture (EA), a combination of traditional acupuncture and electrical stimulation. Acupoints Selection: Electroacupuncture will be performed at specific acupoints associated with the stomach and digestive system. The local acupoints chosen are Liangmen (ST21) and Tianshu (ST25), while the distal acupoints are Zusanli (ST36) and Xiajuxu (ST39). This selection is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles for treating functional dyspepsia. Frequency: 5 Hz
Participants will receive sham electroacupuncture at the same acupoints: Liangmen (ST21), Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Xiajuxu (ST39). Non-penetrating needles will touch the skin but will not induce \"deqi.\" A sham electroacupuncture device (no actual current) will be used, and treatment will last 30 minutes per session. Participants will receive 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total: 12 sessions). This arm serves as a placebo control to evaluate the true effect of electroacupuncture.
Intervention Description: The intervention in this study involves the use of electroacupuncture (EA), a combination of traditional acupuncture and electrical stimulation. Acupoints Selection: Electroacupuncture will be performed at specific acupoints associated with the stomach and digestive system. The local acupoints chosen are Liangmen (ST21) and Tianshu (ST25), while the distal acupoints are Zusanli (ST36) and Xiajuxu (ST39). This selection is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles for treating functional dyspepsia. Frequency: 100 Hz
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicinal University
Hangzhou, None Selected, China
RECRUITINGHangzhou First People's Hospital
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGSir Run Run Shaw Hospital, affiliated with the Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGSymptom Improvement Rate at Week 4
The primary outcome is the percentage of participants experiencing symptom improvement using the 7-point Likert scale for Overall Treatment Effect (OTE). The Overall Treatment Effect (OTE) questionnaire was categorized as "extremely worse than baseline," "worse than baseline," "slightly worse than baseline," "no change," "slightly improved than baseline," "improved than baseline," or "much improved than baseline." Participants will rate their symptom severity compared to baseline, and those reporting "improved than baseline" or "much improved than baseline"will be considered responders. The primary outcome will assess the efficacy of 5 Hz and 100 Hz electroacupuncture compared to sham treatment.
Time frame: 4 weeks after the start of treatment.
Main Symptom Resolution Rate at Week 4
The second primary outcome is the rate of complete resolution of the main symptoms of functional dyspepsia at week 4. For Postprandial Distress Syndrome (PDS), the primary symptoms are postprandial fullness and early satiety; for Epigastric Pain Syndrome (EPS), the main symptoms are epigastric pain and burning. Complete resolution is defined as a score of 0 for the respective main symptoms on a validated symptom severity scale. The severity of each symptom is divided into: no symptoms (0 points), mild (1 point), moderate (2 points), and severe (3 points). The outcome will compare the resolution rates between the 5 Hz, 100 Hz, and sham electroacupuncture groups.
Time frame: 4 weeks after the start of treatment.
Global Overall Symptom (GOS) Score Change
The Global Overall Symptom (GOS) score assesses eight symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia (e.g., epigastric pain, burning, fullness, early satiety, nausea, bloating). Scores range from 1 (no problem) to 7 (very severe problem). Scoring is as follows: 1 = no problem (no symptoms); 2 = minimal problem (can be easily ignored); 3 = mild problem (can be ignored with effort); 4 = moderate problem (cannot be ignored, but does not interfere with daily activities); 5 = moderately severe problem (cannot be ignored, occasionally limits daily activities); 6 = severe problem (cannot be ignored, often limits concentration on daily activities); 7 = very severe problem (cannot be ignored, severely limits daily activities. The change from baseline to week 4 will be compared between the 5 Hz, 100 Hz, and sham electroacupuncture groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) Score Change
The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) evaluates the impact of dyspepsia on patients \'quality of life across five domains (e.g., tension, interference with daily activities). The change in NDI score from baseline to week 4 will be used to assess the efficacy of the interventions in improving quality of life. Higher scores on the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) indicate more severe symptoms
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Score Change
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) measures levels of anxiety and depression, which are often associated with functional dyspepsia. Changes in HADS scores from baseline to week 4 will be evaluated to determine if electroacupuncture has an impact on emotional well-being. The scores of anxiety and depression subscales are divided into: 0-7 points for no symptoms; 8-10 points for suspected presence; 11-21 points for definite presence; When scoring, 8 points is the starting point, that is, both suspected and symptomatic are positive.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Treatment Expectation Score
Participants\' expectations regarding the effectiveness of electroacupuncture will be assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree) prior to the first treatment. This outcome will be used to determine the role of treatment expectations in the perceived efficacy of electroacupuncture.
Time frame: Prior to the first treatment (Baseline)
Blind evaluation
Participants perception of whether they received real or sham electroacupuncture will be assessed after the 1st and 6th treatment sessions to evaluate the effectiveness of blinding in the sham group.
Time frame: immediately after 1st and 6th treatment sessions
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