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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 674-683.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.009

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

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

WANG Xin1, CAO Xue1, QIN Yuning1, SUN Minglin1, YUE Lihong1, TIAN Yukun1, WANG Guangjun2, LIU Xinglong3, WANG Zirong4, Labasangzhu 5,6(), LIU Jia1()   

  1. 1 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
    2 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
    3 Xizang Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station, National Immigration Administration, Lhasa 850000, China
    4 Department of Logistics and Security, National Immigration Administration, Beijing 100006, China
    5 Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Xizang University, Lhasa 850000, China
    6 High Altitude Health Science Research Center, Xizang University, Lhasa 850000, China
  • Received:2025-01-22 Accepted:2025-09-12 Online:2026-06-15 Published:2026-06-08
  • Contact: Prof. LIU Jia, Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. marie_liujia@sina.cn;
    Prof. Labasangzhu, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Xizang University, Lhasa 850000, China; High Altitude Health Science Research Center, Xizang University, Lhasa 850000, China. lhasam@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: Registration and Enrollment Study on the Evaluation of the Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Real World(CI2021A05408);Standard Project of Chinese Acupuncture Society: Expert Consensus on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for High Altitude Sickness(Z0674, surplus funds);Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: Research on the Key Technology of the Real-World Case Registry(2022031);Project of the National Key Research and Development Program: Development of International Clinical Research Service Standard for Acupuncture and Moxibustion(2019YFC1712205)

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Abstract:

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.

Key words: acupuncture, altitude, randomized controlled trial, altitude sickness, oxygen saturation

Cite this article

WANG Xin, CAO Xue, QIN Yuning, SUN Minglin, YUE Lihong, TIAN Yukun, WANG Guangjun, LIU Xinglong, WANG Zirong, Labasangzhu , LIU Jia. Effect of electro-thumbtack needles on symptoms during high-altitude exposure: a pilot, single-blind, randomized, controlled study[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(3): 674-683.