Effect of Acupuncture Therapy on Dysphagic Parkinson's Patients

March 2, 2024 updated by: Zeng Changhao

Effect of Acupuncture Therapy on Dysphagic Parkinson's Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

We are currently conducting a randomized controlled study in China, specifically in three hospitals' rehabilitation medicine departments, focusing on dysphagic participants with Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy as an additional intervention for these participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 56 individuals in each group. Both groups are receiving standard treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training, while the experimental group is also receiving acupuncture therapy. Our study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture in improving swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease participants.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Withdrawn

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

We are currently conducting a randomized controlled study in China, specifically in three hospitals' rehabilitation medicine departments, focusing on dysphagic participants with Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy as an additional intervention for these participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 56 individuals in each group. Both groups are receiving standard treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training, while the experimental group is also receiving acupuncture therapy. Our study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture in improving swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease participants.

The study lasted 42 days (6 weeks) for each participant. Specifically, our main focus is on the study of Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng, Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible), Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • China
    • Henan
      • Zhenzhou, Henan, China, 450001
        • Zheng Da yi Yuan Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >18 years.
  • Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease.
  • Diagnosed with dysphagia confirmed by the video fluoroscopic swallowing study.
  • Water swallow test> Level 3.
  • Stable vital signs, conscious, able to cooperate with assessment and treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Dysphagia possibly caused by other reasons, such as cerebrovascular disease, trauma, neuromuscular diseases, malignant diseases of the pharynx and larynx, and digestive tract diseases.
  • History of mental diseases or use of antipsychotics.
  • Complicated with cognitive impairment or consciousness dysfunction.
  • Simultaneously suffering from severe liver, kidney failure, tumors, or hematological diseases.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: routine treatment+swallowing rehabilitation training+acupuncture therapy
The experimental group was given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training. Moreover, the experimental group was given acupuncture therapy.
Procedure: Acupuncture therapy

The whole acupuncture therapy was performed once daily for 5 days per week, including acupuncture needle and tongue needle.

Acupuncture needle:

Main acupoints: Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng; Auxiliary acupoints: Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible).

Tongue needle (pricking):

Acupoints: Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).

Behavioral: Routine rehabilitation training

Balance function training: Patients were instructed to achieve weight shift between the left and right sides of the balance bar in a standing position.

Walking function training: based on hip, knee, and ankle control training, patients were instructed to take steps training.

Core muscle strength training: Patients were instructed to maintain 3 minutes of training in Bridge-style movement.

Functional training of daily living: including training on dressing and undressing, independent eating, painting, and writing.

Routine rehabilitation training was performed 30-45 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week.

Behavioral: Swallowing rehabilitation training

Swallowing-related organ training involves various exercises targeting the lip, mandibular muscle, cheek, tongue muscle, soft palate, as well as exercises for vocal cord closure, laryngeal lifting, and pharyngeal muscle training. These exercises are performed for 5-15 minutes each session, 1-2 times per day, and 5-7 days per week.

Sensory stimulation training is conducted using a self-made popsicle, where medical staff gently stimulate the patient's cheek, palatoquadrate, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue surface, and sublingual area repeatedly. Each session lasts 5-25 minutes, performed 1-3 times per day, and 3-7 days per week.

Once the patient's swallowing function improves to a certain extent, allowing for safe oral intake, direct training or oral feeding training can be gradually introduced.
Active Comparator: routine treatment+swallowing rehabilitation training
The control group was given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training.
Behavioral: Routine rehabilitation training

Balance function training: Patients were instructed to achieve weight shift between the left and right sides of the balance bar in a standing position.

Walking function training: based on hip, knee, and ankle control training, patients were instructed to take steps training.

Core muscle strength training: Patients were instructed to maintain 3 minutes of training in Bridge-style movement.

Functional training of daily living: including training on dressing and undressing, independent eating, painting, and writing.

Routine rehabilitation training was performed 30-45 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week.

Behavioral: Swallowing rehabilitation training

Swallowing-related organ training involves various exercises targeting the lip, mandibular muscle, cheek, tongue muscle, soft palate, as well as exercises for vocal cord closure, laryngeal lifting, and pharyngeal muscle training. These exercises are performed for 5-15 minutes each session, 1-2 times per day, and 5-7 days per week.

Sensory stimulation training is conducted using a self-made popsicle, where medical staff gently stimulate the patient's cheek, palatoquadrate, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue surface, and sublingual area repeatedly. Each session lasts 5-25 minutes, performed 1-3 times per day, and 3-7 days per week.

Once the patient's swallowing function improves to a certain extent, allowing for safe oral intake, direct training or oral feeding training can be gradually introduced.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-liquid
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42

The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration.

In this assessment, we used 60% barium sulfate suspension A higher level of PAS indicated a severer dysphagia.
Day 1 and Day 42
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-paste
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42

The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration.

In this assessment, we used 180% barium sulfate suspension A higher level of PAS indicated a severer dysphagia.
Day 1 and Day 42

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Swallowing time
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42
The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Day 1 and Day 42
body mass index
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42
Patients' body mass index was assessed with the physical check, with the combination of height and body weight. as kg/m^2, reference range: 18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24 kg/m2.
Day 1 and Day 42
Serum Albumin
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42
Patients' Serum Albumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 35~50 g/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Day 1 and Day 42
Prealbumin
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42
Patients' Prealbumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 200~400 mg/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Day 1 and Day 42
Hemoglobin
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42
Patients' Hemoglobin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: males: 120~160 g/L, females: 110~150 g/L. Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Day 1 and Day 42
Swallowing Quality of Life
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 42

Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) is a questionnaire designed to evaluate the impact of swallowing problems on a patient's quality of life. It includes 44 items covering various aspects such as eating desire, food selection, communication, and mental health.

The SWAL-QOL total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Therefore, in this case, the higher the score, the better the individual's quality of life related to their swallowing function.
Day 1 and Day 42

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Zeng Changhao

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Nieto Luis, Master, Site Coordinator of United Medical Group

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 15, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 4, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 4, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 13, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 6, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 2, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Zhenjiu-Parkinson

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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