Evaluation of the Efficacy of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary Template for the Study:

This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether electroacupuncture can treat chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in adult subjects aged 18 to 75 years (including both males and females), all of whom have been diagnosed with CAG based on endoscopic and histopathological criteria. The primary objectives of this study are to answer the following questions:

• Can 5 Hz electroacupuncture therapy reverse the pathological state of the gastric mucosa in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis?
• Can 5 Hz electroacupuncture therapy improve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis?
• Is there a difference in efficacy between the combination of 5 Hz electroacupuncture therapy and gastric mucosa protectants versus the use of gastric mucosa protectants alone in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis?

Researchers will compare the effects of 5 Hz electroacupuncture combined with gastric mucosal protectants versus gastric mucosal protectants alone to determine which method can reverse the pathological state of gastric mucosa and provide more significant symptom relief.

Participants will:

• Receive acupuncture treatment at specific acupoints (such as Shangwan(CV13), Zhongwan (CV12) ,Xiawan(CV10), Liangmen (ST21), Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Xiajuxu (ST39).) Electroacupuncture is administered at the abdominal points 'CV13-CV12' and 'ST21-ST21', alongside bilateral lower limb points 'ST36-ST39', using an SDZ-IIB handheld electroacupuncture device (Huatuo brand, Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory Co., Ltd.). Receive electroacupuncture treatment at 5Hz.for 30-minute sessions, three times weekly for 1-8 weeks; twice weekly from weeks 9 to 16, once weekly from weeks 17 to 24, for a total of 24 weeks, comprising 48 treatment sessions.
• Be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 5 Hz electroacupuncture combined with gastric mucosal protective agent group or gastric mucosal protective agent group (control group).
• Have their dyspepsia symptoms, quality of life, and any adverse reactions continuously monitored and assessed throughout the study period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meets the diagnostic criteria for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) (at the time of enrolment, participants must provide reports from endoscopic and pathological examinations conducted within the past year prior to the study start date, both of which indicate chronic atrophic gastritis)
• Age between 18 and 75 years old, no gender restrictions;
• Has not received acupuncture treatment within the past month;
• Not participated in any other ongoing studies within the past 2 months.
• Understand and agree to participate in this study and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Autoimmune gastritis (type A chronic atrophic gastritis);
• Participants with a positive C-13 urea breath test at baseline (Helicobacter pylori infection);
• Patients diagnosed with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia based on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and gastric mucosal biopsy pathology;
• Patients with confirmed or unresolved malignant tumours, particularly oesophageal cancer and gastric cancer; patients with other upper gastrointestinal lesions such as peptic ulcers or Barrett's oesophagus;
• Patients with severe lesions in major organs (heart, liver, kidney, lung, etc.) or other autoimmune diseases (rheumatic diseases, Crohn's disease, autoimmune pancreatitis, etc.); Persons with cardiac pacemakers;
• Pregnant and lactating women;
• Patients with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, or HIV/AIDS;
• Individuals with a history of alcohol abuse, drug use, or illicit drug use;
• Individuals who have used other prokinetic agents, mucosal protectants, acid-suppressing medications, or related traditional Chinese medicines within the past two weeks;
• Individuals currently participating in or who have participated in other clinical trials within the past two months; individuals unable to tolerate acupuncture or with contraindications for acupuncture treatment; and individuals deemed unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial by the research team.