The Herbal Acupoint Patch for Dialysis Patient With Fistula-related Pain

The Herbal Acupoint Patch for Improving Pain, Depression, and Quality of Life in Dialysis Patient With Fistula-related Pain: Holistic Study for A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate the effect of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention on pain relief, mood and quality of life (QOL) in hemodialytic patients at a dialysis center in Southern Taiwan.

Inclusion Criteria:

• maintenance HD > 6 months ,
• reporting fistula pain during HD sessions that was associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band, at least 6 times in the past month,
• a NRS pain score >4,
• no changes in pain relievers such as NSAIDs, opioids, topical ointments, or muscle relaxants over the past week,
• voluntarily agreed to participate in the trial and presented written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe comorbid organ dysfunction,
• existence of cervical radiculopathy or thoracic outlet syndrome
• inflammation of the skin or soft tissue at the fistula site,
• dementia,
• psychiatric diseases,
• allergy to herbal patch
• currently participating in other clinical studies