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At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

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Published in: Trials 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Study protocol

Acupuncture treatment for insulin sensitivity of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Juan Li, Ernest Hung Yu Ng, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Zhenxing Hu, Xiaoguang Shao, Haiyan Wang, Meifang Li, Maohua Lai, Changcai Xie, Nianjun Su, Chuyi Yu, Jia Liu, Taixiang Wu, Hongxia Ma

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Our prospective pilot study of acupuncture affecting insulin sensitivity on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with insulin resistance (IR) showed that acupuncture had a significant effect on improving the insulin sensitivity of PCOS. But there is still no randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of acupuncture on the insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS and IR. In this article, we present the protocol of a randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of true acupuncture on the insulin sensitivity of these patients compared with metformin and sham acupuncture. Acupuncture may be an effective therapeutic alternative that is superior to metformin and sham acupuncture in improving the insulin sensitivity of PCOS combined with IR.

Methods

This study is a multi-center, controlled, double-blind, and randomized clinical trial aiming to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the insulin sensitivity in PCOS combined with IR. In total 342 patients diagnosed with PCOS and IR will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized to one of the three groups: (1) true acupuncture + metformin placebo; (2) sham acupuncture + metformin, and (3) sham acupuncture + metformin placebo. Participants and assessors will be blinded. The acupuncture intervention will be given 3 days per week for a total of 48 treatment sessions during 4 months. Metformin (0.5 g per pill) or placebo will be given, three times per day, and for 4 months.
Primary outcome measures are changes in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and improvement rate of HOMA-IR by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin releasing test (Ins). Secondary outcome measures are homeostasis model assessment-β (HOMA-β), area under the curve for glucose and insulin, frequency of regular menstrual cycles and ovulation, body composition, metabolic profile, hormonal profile, questionnaires, side effect profile, and expectation and credibility of treatment.
Outcome measures are collected at baseline, at the end of treatments, and 3 months after the last acupuncture treatment. On completion of the screening visit, randomization will be conducted using a central randomization system.

Discussion

This study will investigate the effects of acupuncture on the insulin sensitivity of PCOS and IR women compared with metformin and sham acupuncture. We will test whether true acupuncture with needles placed in skeletal muscles and stimulated manually and by electrical stimulation is more effective than metformin and sham acupuncture with superficial needle placement with no manual or electrical stimulation in improving the insulin sensitivity in PCOS women with IR.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02491333; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-ICR-15006639. Registered on 24 June 2015.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Acupuncture treatment for insulin sensitivity of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Juan Li
Ernest Hung Yu Ng
Elisabet Stener-Victorin
Zhenxing Hu
Xiaoguang Shao
Haiyan Wang
Meifang Li
Maohua Lai
Changcai Xie
Nianjun Su
Chuyi Yu
Jia Liu
Taixiang Wu
Hongxia Ma
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-1854-2

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