Hypertension
Conditions
Keywords
Hypertension, blood pressure, mild to moderate hypertension
Brief summary
Based on previous published research in animals and human, the investigators hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) will have a positive effect on hypertension.
Detailed description
The purpose of this study is to prove: (1) hypertensive response at rest and provoked by stress are decreased by EA; (2) The mechanisms of EA that reduces elevated blood pressure. EA inhibits the sympathetic nervous system, decreases blood pressure and reduces the oxygen demand. Our prior data in animals shows that improvements in cardiovascular function during myocardial ischemia, reflex hypertension and sustained hypertension are mediated by an EA-induced sensory neural reflex originating in somatic nerves to reduce sympathetic nerve activity. The specific aims of the present study will allow us to better understand and modulate the sympathetic nervous discharge activity that can cause hypertension during normal activity and stress in humans. The potential clinical application is the therapeutic value of EA in patients with hypertension. Furthermore, the study will also investigate gender differences in the blood pressure lowering effect of EA. In particular in middle-aged hypertensive women and men.
Interventions
PROCEDUREElectro-acupuncture control
First visit, blood pressure monitoring for 60 minutes at rest, then monitoring for subsequent 24 hours to measure BP and heart rate. At next 6-8 visits, Electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for 30 minutes will be administered. BP and heart rate measurements will be taken 30 minutes before and after EA.
PROCEDUREElectro-acupuncture test
First visit, blood pressure monitoring for 60 minutes at rest, then monitoring for subsequent 24 hours to measure BP and heart rate. At next 6-8 visits, Electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for 30 minutes will be administered. BP and heart rate measurements will be taken 30 minutes before and after EA. At end of 8-week treatment, 24 hours blood pressure and heart rate will be measured.
Sponsors
University of California, Irvine
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The care provider or acupuncturist does not know the outcome of the treatment. The investigator does not know the participants and the outcome of the study. The outcome assessor does not know the participants.
Intervention model description
Two different formulated sets of acupoints will be used as EA intervention in the treatment of hypertension.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with mild coronary disease, and no significant ECG change reflecting ischemia at rest. * Patients with high blood pressure with or without antihypertensive medication.
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnant or nursing women * Individuals with severe coronary disease (continuous angina) * Conduction abnormalities on ECG consistent with left bundle branch block * Cardiac arrhythmias associated with low blood pressure (90 mmHg) * Peripheral vascular disease * Orthopedic disease * Diabetic or psychological illness that could interfere with safe performance of exercise of psychophysiological stress testing * Those with known sensitivity to topical preparations or strong reactions to medical dressings and skin tapes
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| blood pressure | 8 weeks | evaluation of systolic and diastolic blood pressures changes |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | 8 weeks | evaluation of heart rate change |
| plasma catecholamine | 8 weeks | evaluation of plasma catecholamine (ng/ml) change |
| plasma renin | 8 weeks | evaluation of plasma renin (ng/ml.hr) change |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactStephanie Tjen-A-Looi, PhD
Backup ContactShaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH
Outcome results
None listed