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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Ms
Karen
Charlesworth
+44 (0)1904 343305
kc1206@york.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Atrial fibrillation
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
Background and study aims
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disorder which carries an increased risk of stroke. Risk factors include age, lifestyle factors, other conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and heart failure. The incidence of AF in the UK is increasing rapidly in line with an ageing population and unhelpful lifestyle choices, and current costs are estimated at up to 2.4% of total NHS expenditure. Current treatment options are not always successful in reducing symptoms, with up to 50% of patients experiencing recurrence of symptoms within three months of some treatments. Adverse effects of treatment may affect quality of life for some. Management of AF increasingly focuses on improving quality of life and relieving symptoms.
A small body of evidence suggests that traditional acupuncture and nutritional therapy may reduce symptoms and increase quality of life. This feasibility study will test some aspects of a future large-scale trial.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
2025 Results article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40001242/ (added 26/02/2025)
You can take part if:
Current inclusion criteria as of 22/02/2021:
1. Aged between 45 and 70 years
2. Diagnosis of paroxysmal AF between 6 months and years before enrolment
3. Stroke prevention measures offered/applied where indicated
4. Perceptible paroxysmal atrial fibrillation of at least weekly frequency despite current treatment regime
5. Owner of, and able to use, a mobile phone, and willing to use this to receive and respond to study communications
6. Home broadband of sufficient capacity to sustain NT appointments and study assessments
7. Owner of, and able to use, a device equipped with Microsoft Teams video-calling software OR happy to use study iPad
8. Willing to have traditional acupuncture or nutritional therapy adjunctively to usual treatment for AF, or usual treatment alone
9. Willing to travel up to five miles from York Hospital to attend appointments for acupuncture (£5 flat travel costs offset paid per visit)
10. Willing to wear a CardioSTAT® ambulatory ECG device (AED) for 2 x 7 day periods over the course of approximately 3 months, then return it by freepost to the manufacturer for data analysis
11. Speak/understand English well enough to engage meaningfully with interventions and assessments
12.
You may not be able to take part if:
Current exclusion criteria as of 22/02/2021:
1. Diagnosed with valvular AF2. Pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, neurostimulator, any other type of active implantable device fitted3. Diagnosed with kidney disease levels 4 or 54. Diagnosed with terminal or severe illness of any kind5. Diagnosed with any blood clotting disorder6. Diagnosed (including self-diagnosis) with any condition or disorder contraindicating suitable moderate exercise7. Diagnosed (including self-diagnosis) with any eating disorder past or present8. Pregnant or trying to conceive9. Currently taking part in other research rendering the participant unable to have either intervention, or which is likely to affect study outcomes, or which renders it unsafe for the participant to continue10. Currently having or have had in the last six months a course of acupuncture or nutritional therapy11. Classified as shielding, clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable with regard to COVID-19, or living with or bubbled with anyone in any of these categories12. Regularly using a TENS machine or receiving any kind of energy delivery therapy to the upper torso (diathermy therapy, diagnostic or therapeutic ultrasound, radiation therapy, electrosurgery or x-ray)13. Any other clinical reason why patient should be excluded, in the clinical judgement of the patient's GP
_____
Previous exclusion criteria:
1. Diagnosed with valvular or permanent AF2. Pacemaker fitted3. Diagnosed with kidney disease levels 4 or 54. Diagnosed with terminal or severe illness of any kind5. Diagnosed with any blood clotting disorder6. Diagnosed (including self-diagnosis) with any condition or disorder contraindicating suitable moderate exercise7. Diagnosed (including self-diagnosis) with any eating disorder past or present8. Pregnant or trying to conceive9. Currently taking part in other research rendering the participant unable to have either intervention, or which is likely to affect study outcomes, or which renders it unsafe for the participant to continue
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Ms
Karen
Charlesworth
+44 (0)1904 343305
kc1206@york.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by University of York and funded by National Institute for Health Research; The British Acupuncture Council; Northern College of Acupuncture.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Or CPMS 45473
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
