Effect of electro-thumbtack needles on symptoms during high-altitude exposure: a pilot, single-blind, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-thumbtack needles (ETN) compared with sham acupuncture (SA) on symptoms during high-altitude exposure.

METHODS

In this pilot, single-blind, randomized, controlled study, we assessed the impact of ETN acupuncture on symptoms associated with high-altitude exposure. Participants were randomized into two groups: an ETN group and a SA group. The intervention involved routine skin disinfection and stimulation of seven acupuncture points: bilateral Neiguan (PC6), bilateral Hegu (LI4), bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Zhongwan (CV12), with pressure for approximately 1 min on each point. The primary outcome was the Lake Louise Score after intervention. Secondary outcome measures were heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, headache visual analogue scale score, clinical function score, and sleep scale scores after the intervention.

RESULTS

We enrolled 125 patients with high-altitude exposure; 59 in the ETN group and 66 in the SA group. AMS was present in 37.90% of the 125 patients. The Lake Louise Score in the ETN group was significantly lower than that in the SA group 6 h postintervention [P =0.05; adjusted mean difference: 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.01, 1.11)]. The changes in blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and Groningen Sleep Quality Survey, Stanford Sleepiness Scale, visual analog scale, and clinical functioning scores 48 h postintervention showed no significant differences between the groups. Decreases in cerebral oxygen saturation postintervention differed significantly between the ETN and SA groups [P< 0.05; t = -1.39; 95% CI (3.50, 0.59)].

CONCLUSIONS

This study assessed the feasibility of ETN to address AMS and was a preliminary evaluation of its efficacy. This study provides a basis for the development of intervention programs and scale implementation. ETN is a possible intervention in AMS for special populations, such as those with drug contraindications or pregnant women. This study may guide future research by presenting novel insights, strategic directions, and foundational evidence.