Acupuncture for Relief of Gag Reflex

Last updated: January 8, 2021
Sponsor: University Medicine Greifswald
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT03821428
BB 166/18
  • Ages 30-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The aim of the study is to test whether stimulation of acupuncture points CV24 and P6 is better than placebo acupuncture in treatment of gagging in patients undergoing elective transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I to IIIscheduled for elective ambulatory transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) withoutsedation
  2. TEE time does not exceed 30 minutes
  3. Patients without previous opioid and psychotropic medication
  4. Patients aged between 30 and 65 years, able to use visual analogue scale 100 mm
  5. Patients who have given written informed consent

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Current psychiatric disease
  2. Local skin infection at the sites of acupuncture
  3. Aged < 30 or > 65 years
  4. TEE time more than 30 min
  5. Patients who consumed opioid medication at least 6 months before surgery
  6. Patients with the history of: i) psychiatric disease; ii) insulin-dependent diabetesmellitus; iii) radio- or chemotherapy; iv) peripheral polyneuropathy.
  7. Patients who are unable to understand the consent form or to use visual analogue scale 100 mm

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Study Start date:
January 13, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
May 20, 2021

Study Description

Patients undergoing elective transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) often report discomfort because of active gagging reflex, which sometimes preclude the performance of TEE and requires additional medication. According to existing literature, needling of acupoint CV24 effectively prevents gagging during dental procedures. We are going to use this phenomenon in patients scheduled to TEE in order to reduce discomfort during insertion of TEE probe and reduce the need for additional sedative medication. Within this investigation the patients will be randomly assigned to receive either verum acupuncture of CV24 and P6 acupoints or placebo procedure immediately before TEE examination. As outcome the incidence and intensity of gagging, total dose of additional sedative medication and hemodynamic parameters will be recorded.

Connect with a study center

  • University Medicine of Greifswald

    Greifswald, 17475
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

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