Effect of electro-acupuncture on lateralization of the human swallowing motor cortex excitability in healthy subjects: study protocol for a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Minying Li; Lin Wang; Nenggui Xu; Xiaorong Tang; Mindong Xu; Jianhua Liu; Jianpeng Huang; Judith M Schlaeger

doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3267-x

Effect of electro-acupuncture on lateralization of the human swallowing motor cortex excitability in healthy subjects: study protocol for a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Trials. 2019 Mar 21;20(1):180. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3267-x.

Authors

Minying Li¹, Lin Wang², Nenggui Xu¹, Xiaorong Tang¹, Mindong Xu¹, Jianhua Liu³, Jianpeng Huang³, Judith M Schlaeger⁴

Affiliations

¹ South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
² South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China. wanglin16@gzucm.edu.cn.
³ Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
⁴ Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, 845 S. Damen Ave. (M/C 802), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.

Abstract

Background: Numerous randomized controlled trials on the effects of electro-acupuncture have been conducted to treat dysphagia as a sequela of stroke. However, the normal physiological mechanisms of swallowing and the pathological mechanisms of dysphagia are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether lateralization of the human swallowing motor cortex excitability in healthy subjects will be influenced by electro-acupuncture to Lianquan (CV 23) and Fengfu (GV 16), which may provide insight into the pathological mechanisms of dysphagia after stroke.

Methods: We designed a single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial in which 40 healthy subjects will be recruited. Subjects will be randomized 1:1 into two groups: the electro-acupuncture group and the sham-control electro-acupuncture group. The swallowing motor cortex will be located in both groups using a neuroimaging navigation system. Then left and right cortical stimulation will be measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before and after electro-acupuncture or sham electro-acupuncture. The electro-acupuncture or sham electro-acupuncture interventions will last for 15 min. The primary outcome measure will be percent change in the resting motor threshold (RMT) of the mylohyoid. The secondary outcome measures will be the amplitude (μV) and latency (ms) of the motor evoked potential (MEP) of the mylohyoid as a proxy for the TMS evoked potential. All outcomes will be measured at baseline and after the electro-acupuncture or sham electro-acupuncture treatment.

Discussion: The aim of this trial is to explore whether lateralization of the human swallowing motor cortex excitability in healthy subjects is present, and to determine if electro-acupuncture to acupuncture points Lianquan (CV 23) and Fengfu (GV 16) will exert an effect on it under normal physiological conditions.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-17011359 . Registered on 11 May 2017.

Keywords: Dysphagia; Electro-acupuncture; Lateralization of the swallowing motor cortex; Stroke; Transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol

MeSH terms

Deglutition / physiology*
Deglutition Disorders / therapy*
Electroacupuncture* / adverse effects
Functional Laterality*
Humans
Motor Cortex / physiology*
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
Research Design
Sample Size
Single-Blind Method
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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