The effect of awn needle deep acupuncture on the hiccup after stroke: a Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hiccups are common complications after stroke and are characterized by stubborn attacks that seriously affect the patient’s diet and sleep and increase the incidence of aspiration pneumonia. In current research, acupuncture is widely used as a nonpharmacological intervention in many observational studies, but few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the therapeutic effect of awn needle deep acupuncture in the treatment of hiccups after stroke. The RCT could provide a scientific basis for the treatment of hiccups after stroke with awn needle deep acupuncture. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 68 patients with hiccups after stroke who meet the trial criteria will be randomized1:1 intotwo groups: the acupuncture group and the control group. The acupuncture group will be treated with awn needle deep puncture (ANDP) therapy, and the control group will be given metoclopramide intramuscular injection. Both groups of patients will receive the same basic conventional treatment. All treatments will be performed 5 times a week for 2 weeks. The primary criterion is the severity of hiccups, which will be evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Score Scale (TCMSSS). The secondary criteria are mental state and sleep score, which will be measured by the Functional Life Index-Emesis (FLIE), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All criteriawill be evaluated at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 8 andweek 12. Discussion: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ANDP for poststroke hiccups and to assess the effect of two different treatments on patients with poststroke hiccups, thus providing a high-quality rationale for the clinical use of ANDP for hiccups after stroke. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier: ChiCTR2100051110. Registered on 13 September 2021.