A Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupressure for the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon: The difficulty of conducting a trial in Raynaud's phenomenon.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the effect of acupressure on Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) and to evaluate the difficulties of conducting a RP RCT.

Methods

A pilot single center RCT of acupressure vs. targeted patient education was conducted for the treatment of RP. Patients with either primary (N = 15) or secondary (N = 8) RP were randomized in an 8-week study. The primary endpoints included a decrease in the frequency and duration of RP. Secondary endpoints included several serum biomarkers including endothelial dysfunction, Raynaud's attack symptoms, Raynaud's Condition Score, and patient and physician global assessments of RP. Primary data analysis was conducted using the last observation carried forward and t-tests or a Wilcoxon rank tes

SUBMITTER: Gladue H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5104282 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature