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Acupuncture for Blunt Chest Trauma

Acupuncture for Blunt Chest Trauma: A Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04318496
Enrollment
72
Registered
2020-03-24
Start date
2020-03-23
Completion date
2021-06-30
Last updated
2021-11-17

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

Conditions

Chest Trauma, Rib Fractures

Keywords

Blunt chest trauma, Acupuncture, Press tack needle, Rib fracture

Brief summary

Introduction: Chest blunt trauma accounts in up to 65% of polytrauma patients. In patients with 0-2 rib fracture, the treatment is relatively limited to oral pain killer and breathing exercise. The patients will suffer two weeks of severe pain accompanied with poor sleep and inability to preform simple daily live activities. In this double blind randomized control study, the investigators offer acupuncture as an additional treatment option. Methods: The study is a double blind randomized control trial. the study will include the press needle acupuncture (Acu) and placebo (Con) group. Both groups will receive one treatment, following the first visit to the clinic after chest trauma accident.

Detailed description

Introduction: Chest blunt trauma accounts in up to 65% of polytrauma patients. In patients with 0-2 rib fracture, the treatment is relatively limited to oral pain killer and breathing exercise. The patients will suffer two weeks of severe pain accompanied with poor sleep and inability to preform simple daily live activities. In this double blind randomized control study, the investigators offer acupuncture as an additional treatment option. Methods: The study is a double blind randomized control trial. the study goal is to examine the effect of acupuncture on patients with chest trauma. the study will include totally 72 patients and divide them to two group; the press needle acupuncture (Acu) and placebo (Con) group. Both groups will receive one treatment, following the first visit to the clinic after chest trauma accident. Follow up time will be 3 months. Expected outcome: The results of this study can potentially provide a simple and cost effective provide analgesic solution to blunt chest trauma patients. The study design can serve as supporting evidence for future double blind studies in acupuncture. Other information: The study will be conducted in thoracic surgical department and acupuncture department in China medical university hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. The study is conducted on blunt chest injury patients and is anticipated to have minimum risk for adverse events. Enrollment of the patients and data collection will start after March 2020. The study expected completion time will be March 2022. Keywords: blunt chest trauma, acupuncture, press tack needle, rib fracture

Interventions

OTHERPress Tack Acupuncture

PYONEX Φ0.20×0.6 mm made by Seirin Corporation

PYONEX placebo sticker made by Seirin Corporation

Sponsors

China Medical University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Study nurse 1 will be responsible to randomize and prepare the needles in the envelopes. Outside the envelopes, there will be a number belonged to one patient, and inside the envelopes, there will 14 separate sterile needle which can be either placebo or true press tack needles. The envelopes and the pouches of needle will look the same. The acupuncturist will be asked not to check the needles when they insert them. At the time of acupuncture, a nurse will accompany the acupuncturist and will verify that he is not examining the needles closely. Study nurse 2 will do the measurement. The acupuncturist, patients and study nurse 2 will be blinded.

Intervention model description

Double Blinded Randomized Control Trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 20-80 year-old * Patients have chest trauma described by themselves or medical chart record within one week * Injury Severity Score (ISS) is less than 18 points * Body Mass Index(BMI)\<30

Exclusion criteria

* Sternal fracture * Injury Severity Score (ISS) is equal or more than 18 points * History of intercostal nerve injury * History of cardiovascular disease * History of chronic lung disease * Significant lung mass or chest deformity noted in the chest plain film

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) - rest3 monthspain scale form 1-10 when 10 is the most painful
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) - mobile3 monthspain scale form 1-10 when 10 is the most painful

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Flow meter4 daysMeasure the amount of air the patient can exhale, It has three chambers with their own balls that requires air pressures from 600-1200 cc per second. 1200cc is the highest score and indicates good exhalation
Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale4 daysincludes 15 question on the patients sleep quality, each question has a 100mm line. Patients will raking each question 0-100 when 100 means no existing insomnia
Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS)4 daysPain scale form 1-10 when 10 is the most painful
Pain killer or muscle relaxant medication does used4 daysWe will measure the amount of analgesic or muscle relaxant medication each patient used
Chest plain film4 daysChest X-ray, will help examine the number of rib fractures, the incidence of hemothorax and pneumothorax
Face Rating Scale (FRS)4 daysFace expression pain scale. scores form 0-5 when 5 is the most painful

Countries

Taiwan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 15, 2026