Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture in Improving Arterial Stiffness Among Patients With Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome

April 15, 2026 updated by: Li-Yin Chien, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Background: Cardio-renal metabolic syndrome (CRMS) is a vicious cycle of cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease, representing a high-risk for atherosclerosis. Laser acupuncture modulates vascular inflammation and improves endothelial function via low-level laser therapy (LLLT, <500mW) at acupoints or musculoskeletal pain sites. Few studies have focused on CRMS populations. This study evaluates laser acupuncture effects on arterial stiffness in CRMS.

Purpose: To assess the effects of improvement of laser acupuncture in patients with CRMS, and to evaluate its feasibility as supportive therapy.

Methods: A single-group pre-post design is used. Participants are patients with CRMS receiving laser acupuncture at a Chinese medicine clinic in Taiwan. CRMS is interrelated by cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease. Inclusion criteria require diagnosis in ≥2 of 3 systems (cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic; n = 35). Laser acupuncture will be applied to bilateral BL40 for 12 weeks (1-3 sessions/week, 60mins/session). Pulse wave velocity(PWV) measured by Omron HBP- 8000 as the primary outcome for arterial stiffness. Paired t-tests and GEE will be used for analysis.

Expected Results: PWV is expected to show significant improvement after intervention.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

35

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants are adult patients diagnosed with cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome who are receiving routine laser acupuncture treatment in a clinical setting. The study population includes individuals with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or dyslipidemia.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 18 years or older
  2. Diagnosed with at least two conditions related to cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or dyslipidemia)
  3. Receiving routine laser acupuncture treatment in a clinical setting
  4. Able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Presence of acute cardiovascular events (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, stroke)
  2. Acute kidney injury
  3. Presence of medical devices or conditions that contraindicate the use of laser acupuncture at the treatment site (e.g., arteriovenous shunt)
  4. Unable to complete the study procedures or follow-up assessments

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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment
Baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

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 (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 21, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 15, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NYCU114227AEF

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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