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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study protocol

Acupuncture as an early treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) patients with flat or high-frequency drop audiograms: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Kai Shang, Xin Ma, Hui-Lin Liu, Yuan-Yuan Jing, Lin Zeng, Nan Li, De-An Zhou, Jia Wei, Chen Zhang

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a common form of deafness. Acupuncture has been used as a salvage therapy for ISSNHL in China since 200 BCE. However, the efficacy of acupuncture has not been confirmed in strictly controlled trials. We designed a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and long-term effects of acupuncture in patients with early ISSNHL.

Methods/Design

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we will enroll 124 participants with ISSNHL diagnosed 2 to 4 weeks prior to enrollment, who have shown little hearing improvement after routine Western medical treatment (i.e., corticosteroids). 62 of these participants will have flat audiogram and the other 62 will have a high-frequency drop audiogram; they will all take Methycobal while half of the flat type and half of the high-frequency drop type will also receive acupuncture treatments for 4 weeks in a four-group design. The primary outcome measure will be the effective rate of hearing improvement (defined as the proportion of patients with at least 15-dB improvement in the hearing loss frequency band). The secondary outcome will measure the improvements in Pure Tone Average, Word Recognition Score, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The assessments of the participants will be made at baseline, after treatment (week 4), and at follow-up (week 28).

Discussion

This study aims to explore the efficacy and long-term effects of acupuncture in patients with ISSNHL. This study will be a randomized controlled trial with strict methodology and few design deficits. If our study yields positive results, acupuncture could be recommended as a salvage therapy for patients with ISSNHL.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-ICR-15006787. Registered on 12 July 2015.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Acupuncture as an early treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) patients with flat or high-frequency drop audiograms: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Kai Shang
Xin Ma
Hui-Lin Liu
Yuan-Yuan Jing
Lin Zeng
Nan Li
De-An Zhou
Jia Wei
Chen Zhang
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2737-x

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