Effect of the Auricular Acupunture of the Lower Limbs on the Equilibrium Response Evaluated by Static Stabilometry

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Balance, Postural
• Interventions: Other: Control; Device: Auricular acupunture

• Registration Number: NCT03156530
• Lead Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo

Brief Summary

By using a static stabilometry platform, the investigators believe the possible verification of the efficiency of auricular acupuncture points that correlates with regions of our body that may interfere with static equilibrium.

The present work aims to analyze the effect of the stimulation of atrial points of the lower limbs on the equilibrium response evaluated by static stabilometry.

Detailed Description

Balance is an extremely relevant subject because of the large and increasing incidence of falls mainly in the elderly population. This leads to a significant social impact since falls can lead an elderly to increasing dependence on the family and can be the cause of depression and reduce their quality of life. Studies have already demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture stimulation in the treatment of vertigo and also for the improvement of postural control. For this, the option of auricular acupuncture was chosen because it is a non-invasive and safe method. Thus, the objective of this study will be to analyze the effects of atrial stimulation of the lower limbs on the equilibrium response by static stabilometry. Participants in this study were 40 healthy individuals aged between 18 and 30 years who will be divided into two groups: GA (acupuncture group) (n = 20) and CG (control group) (n = 20). The acupuncture group will be stimulated unilaterally according to the motor preference side of each individual in the points referring to the three joints of the lower limb (knee and ankle hip). The control group will not receive stimulation. Balance evaluations will be performed before the stimuation (initial), 20 minutes after the initiation of the protocol (second evaluation) and 5 minutes after the second evaluation, with eyes open and closed. Participants will be positioned standing with their arms along their body, mouth closed not with force and parallel feet. Statistical analysis will be performed by means of a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the differences between the data will be evidenced by Holm Sidack's post-test. Values of p≤0.05 will be considered significant.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-03-01
• Status Verified: 2016-03
• Primary Completion: 2016-03-01
• Study Completion: 2016-11-01
• Study First Submitted: 2017-05-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-05-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-05-15
• Study First Posted: 2017-05-17
• Last Update Posted: 2017-05-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• 40 healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 30

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Exclusion Criteria

• Disorders of the central nervous system
• Joint pathologies
• Peripheral neuropathies

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control	Control	Not receive stimulation.
Auricular acupuncture	Auricular acupunture	Stimulated with needles at three joint points of the lower limb, knee and ankle. Balance assessments will be performed prior to (initial) pacing, 20 minutes after the initiation of the pacing protocol (second evaluation) and after 5 minutes the final evaluation.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Evaluation of center of force through stabilometry	1 day	Evaluation shall be performed during the treatment period.