Efficacy and mechanism of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for angina severity in patients with chronic coronary syndromes: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction Stimulating acupoints is beneficial for improving heart health but the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) as a complementary therapy for chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether TEAS can alleviate angina severity in patients with CCS and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying TEAS.Methods and analysis This study, conducted across two clinical centres, involved 90 participants distributed equally into three groups via simple randomisation (1:1:1 ratio). The research cycle was 28 weeks including a 4-week baseline, 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up period. All groups will receive basic treatment with the TEAS group additionally receiving 36 sessions of TEAS stimulation over the 12 weeks. The two control groups will either undergo sham TEAS or no additional intervention alongside their basic treatment. The primary outcome is the 6-minute walk test; eight other indicators will serve as secondary outcomes.Ethics and dissemination Approval for this study was granted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Third Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine in May 2023. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration number ChiCTR2400079383.