External counterpulsation stimulation combined with acupuncture for vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertension: A randomized pilot trial. (31st December 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Meilan; Wang, Xiaonv; Ye, Bingbing; Zhang, Jun; Lin, Shuman; Xu, Yiye; Zhou, Jianguan; Liu, Sipei; Zhou, Shiwei; Guan, Xiafei; Jin, Yan; Wang, Lei
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental hypertension. Volume 45:Number 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-12-31
• Subjects: Blood pressure -- endothelin -- external counterpulsation -- acupressure -- nonpharmaceutical therapy; Hypertension -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Hypotensive agents -- Periodicals; 616.132
• DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2023.2181355
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-1963

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: Endothelial function may improve with enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) or acupuncture. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of acupoint stimulation combined with EECP (acupoint-EECP) for endothelial cell function in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: Thirty essential hypertensive patients were, randomly divided into two groups, with 15 patients in the acupoint-EECP group, and 15 patients in the control group, of which 3 cases were lost by week 6. Both groups were treated with continued medicine. The participants in the acupoint-EECP group received acupoint stimulation combined with EECP therapy, 45 min for each time, 5 times weekly for 6 weeks for a total of 22.5 hours. The selected acupoints are Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). The curative effects of the two groups were compared. Results: The acupoint-EECP group (n=15) showed significant improvement in endothelial function [nitric oxide (NO) ，endothelin-1 (ET-1) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), respectively] values compared to the control group (n=12). Multiple imputation (n = 20 imputations) was performed to account for potential bias due to missing data. In stratified analyses, SBP and DBP values decreased when the baseline SBP was ≥120 mmHg and DBP was ≥80 mmHg. Conclusions: These findings suggest the feasibility of acupoint-EECP in improving endothelial function and treating hypertension. (The Chinese clinical trial registration number is ChiCTR2100053795.)