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Electroacupuncture vs. Sham Electroacupuncture for Treatment of Fatigue in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Randomized Study : Electroacupuncture vs. Sham Electroacupuncture for Treatment of Fatigue in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02733276
Enrollment
54
Registered
2016-04-11
Start date
2016-01-31
Completion date
2016-10-31
Last updated
2017-08-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fatigue, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Brief summary

Fatigue is a common symptom in inflammatory bowel diseaseI and persists despite clinical remission. Fatigue in patients with chronic diseases can be objectified by the FACIT-F scale. Acupuncture has been shown useful in the treatment of fatigue in various chronic diseases. This study evaluates the effect of electroacupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and severe fatigue (FACIT-F score \<38) who agree to participate in the study will be randomized to three different treatments: electroacupuncture vs. sham electroacupuncture vs. control group.

Detailed description

Fatigue is a common symptom in inflammatory bowel disease and persists despite clinical remission. Fatigue in patients with chronic diseases can be objectified by the FACIT-F scale. Acupuncture has been shown useful in the treatment of fatigue in various chronic diseases. This study evaluates the effect of electroacupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and severe fatigue (FACIT-F score \< 38) who agree to participate in the study will be randomized to three different treatments: electroacupuncture vs. sham electroacupuncture vs. group control. Treatment consists of a total of 9 sessions / patient (2 sessions / week the first week and then one session / week for two months). During and after treatment, patients fill in questionnaires to assess fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease and sleepiness. Those patients who do not improve with the initial treatment or present a recurrence of fatigue (defined as a decrease of at least 4 points in the FACIT-F score) then receive crossover treatment for 8 more weeks (total of 9 new sessions). The control group fill in questionnaires in the same periods as patients who receive active treatment. These patients (control group) receive electroacupuncture sessions(total of 9 sessions) in a second period.

Interventions

OTHERelectroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture: Using an electroacupuntor with different frequencies during 20 minutes. Needles are connected to the electrodes.

OTHERSham: Electroacupuncture sham

Sham comparator (Electroacupuncture sham): Using an electroacupuntor with different frequencies during 20 minutes. Needles are connected to the electrodes.

Sponsors

Corporacion Parc Tauli
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and fatigue in patients over 18 years * Presence of continued fatigue determined in two consecutive scores and stability of the symptoms of fatigue according to the patient's opinion . * Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed at least 6 months before the study (diagnosed by clinical, laboratory , endoscopic and histological criteria) . * Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who are participating in other clinical studies. * Associated tumor disease . * Pregnant or breast feeding women . * Anemia Hemoglobin determined under 12 in women and 14 in men. * Patients who have suffered minor adverse reactions to acupuncture. * Prior Acupuncture.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (assessed by the FACIT-F scale).7 monthsAssessed by the FACIT-F scale

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of depression in patients with fatigue and inflammatory bowel disease (assessed by the Depression Beck scale).7 monthsassessed by the Depression Beck scale
Evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety in patients with fatigue and inflammatory bowel disease (assessed by the Hamilton scale).7 monthsassessed by the Hamilton scale
Evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of sleepiness in patients with fatigue and inflammatory bowel disease (assessed by the Epworth scale).7 monthsassessed by the Epworth scale

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 21, 2026