Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Auricular Pellets Combined With Atorvastatin 20mg in Patients With Dyslipidemia and Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome

NCT07624604 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 496/HDDD-DHYD
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Dyslipidemia (DL) is a metabolic disorder characterized by an imbalance of blood lipid components, serving as a leading silent cause of dangerous cardiovascular diseases and increased mortality risk globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases account for 32% of all deaths worldwide, with dyslipidemia playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of 85% of fatalities caused by heart attacks and strokes. Although current management primarily relies on lifestyle modifications and lipid-lowering medications such as statins, fibrates, or niacin, some patients still encounter difficulties due to inadequate treatment response, adverse side effects, or poor long-term compliance. In this context, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies are increasingly being widely applied, either as monotherapy or in combination with Western medicine. Notably, auricular acupuncture-a method focusing on specific acupoints on the ear-has been recognized for its great potential in modulating lipid profiles, particularly demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in patients with Phlegm-Dampness syndrome. Theoretically and clinically, Phlegm-Dampness syndrome is inextricably linked to the pathogenesis and progression of dyslipidemia (DL); furthermore, clinical research in China indicates that the Phlegm pattern accounts for the highest proportion among the five traditional syndromes of this condition, and a greater severity of Phlegm-Dampness correlates positively with higher levels of TC and LDL-c. In terms of treatment, auricular pellets (a modality of auricular acupuncture) have been demonstrated to improve cardiovascular health by reducing TC, LDL-c, and TGR levels while elevating HDL-c in obese patients with mild-to-moderate DL. In Vietnam, however, studies evaluating the application of auricular pellets in patients with DL remain limited, primarily focusing on individuals with simple overweight or obesity without documented concurrent metabolic disorders. Notably, a study by Nguyen Vu Thien Duyen (2021) reported that a 3-acupoint formula consisting of Hunger (TGR3), Stomach (CO4), and Endocrine (CO18) effectively reduced lipid profiles to a moderate extent in obese individuals. Given the limitations in evaluating therapeutic efficacy and the scarcity of published studies discussing the effects of lowering blood lipid profiles and alleviating Phlegm-Dampness symptoms for this specific pattern in Vietnam, the investigators conducted this study to evaluate the degree of lipid profile reduction and the clinical symptom improvement of the Phlegm-Dampness syndrome using auricular acupuncture in patients with dyslipidemia presenting with the Phlegm-Dampness syndrome.

Conditions

Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from baseline in Phlegm-Dampness syndrome clinical symptom score

  To compare the improvement rate of clinical symptoms of Phlegm-Dampness syndrome between auricular acupressure combined with Atorvastatin and sham auricular acupressure combined with Atorvastatin in dyslipidemia patients every 15 days.

  Baseline, Day 15, Day 30, Day 45, and Day 60 (Week 8)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change from baseline in blood lipid profiles

  Baseline and Week 8

• Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events

  Throughout the 8-week study period

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group receives Atorvastatin 20mg (1 tablet/day, orally after dinner) combined with a lipid-lowering, high-fiber diet . Additionally, active auricular pellets are applied once every 5 days at 5 specific acupoints, including Spleen (CO11), Stomach (CO4), Endocrine (CO18), Sympathetic (AH6), and Auricular Shenmen (TF4) on the left ear, with the patches replaced on the 6th day . Patients are instructed to perform self-acupressure 4 times daily (60 seconds per acupoint) to create stimulation . The entire procedure totals 10 sessions over an 8-week period, with the diet and exercise regimen maintained throughout the study

Procedure: Auricular Acupressure; Drug: Atorvastatin; Behavioral: Diet and exercise regimen

Sham Comparator Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

The control group receives Atorvastatin 20mg (1 tablet/day, orally after dinner) combined with a lipid-lowering and high-fiber diet. Additionally, sham auricular procedures are administered once every 5 days on the left ear using pellet patches with the needles completely removed. These sham patches are applied at 3 non-specific technical points, including Finger (SF1), Thoracic Spine (AH11), and Knee (AH4), and patients are strictly instructed NOT to perform any self-acupressure or manual stimulation. The treatment process consists of a total of 10 sessions over an 8-week period, with the patches replaced on the 6th day of each cycle and alternating ears between sessions. The dietary and exercise regimen is strictly maintained throughout the study period.

Procedure: Sham Auricular Acupressure; Drug: Atorvastatin; Behavioral: Diet and exercise regimen

Interventions

Auricular Acupressure PROCEDURE

In this study, active semi-permanent auricular needles (auricular pellets) will be applied to 5 therapeutic acupoints: Spleen (CO11), Stomach (CO4), Endocrine (CO18), Sympathetic (AH6), and Auricular Shenmen (TF4) on the left ear. Needles will be retained for 5 days to provide continuous stimulation, with the patches replaced on the 6th day. Participants will be prompted to perform self-acupressure on the points 4 times daily (60 seconds per acupoint). The entire procedure totals 10 sessions over an 8-week period, performed by a licensed traditional medicine physician following standardized protocols.

Also known as: Auricular Therapy, Ear Acupressure, Auricular Pellets

Experimental Group

Sham Auricular Acupressure PROCEDURE

Sham auricular acupressure will be performed using auricular pellet patches with the needles completely removed, applied to 3 non-therapeutic ear points: Finger (SF1), Thoracic Spine (AH11), and Knee (AH4) on the left ear. The patches will be replaced on the 6th day, totaling 10 sessions over an 8-week period with alternating ears. The procedure duration and appearance will be identical to the active intervention to maintain blinding, but participants are strictly instructed NOT to perform any self-acupressure.

Also known as: Placebo Auricular Acupressure, Sham Ear Acupressure

Sham Comparator Group

Atorvastatin DRUG

Participants in both groups are prescribed Atorvastatin 20mg to be taken orally at a dose of 1 tablet per day. The medication must be administered consistently every day after dinner. This pharmacological treatment is maintained continuously throughout the 8-week study period to manage and monitor its effects on blood lipid levels.

Experimental Group; Sham Comparator Group

Diet and exercise regimen BEHAVIORAL

Participants are instructed to strictly follow a therapeutic lifestyle change regimen throughout the 8-week study period. The dietary component focuses on a lipid-lowering, high-fiber diet, which includes reducing saturated fat intake, limiting dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg/day, and increasing the consumption of vegetables and fiber-rich foods. The exercise component requires participants to maintain a consistent daily physical activity routine tailored to their health status. Adherence to both diet and exercise guidelines is monitored regularly by the research team.

Also known as: Standard Care, Routine Dyslipidemia Management

Experimental Group; Sham Comparator Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis: Dyslipidemia (DL), untreated or discontinued treatment for at least 1 month, and not taking drugs that induce DL.
• Laboratory Criteria: LDL-c levels between 2.6 and 4.9 mmol/L.
• TCM Criteria:
• Diagnosed with Phlegm-Dampness syndrome in patients with DL according to the "Guiding Principles for Clinical Research on Combined Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine":
• Primary symptoms: Obesity, heavy sensation in the head, chest tightness, nausea/phlegm expectoration, numbness in limbs.
• Secondary symptoms: Palpitations, insomnia, bland taste in the mouth, poor appetite.
• Tongue manifestations: Enlarged/flabby tongue, greasy/slippery tongue coating. Pulse: String-taut and slippery pulse (Wiry-Slippery pulse). Diagnostic threshold: Confirmed when presenting \>= 50% of TCM Phlegm-Dampness syndrome symptoms in patients with DL.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants are non-compliant with the treatment protocol.
• Participants decline to continue study participation for any reason (Withdrawal of consent).
• Participants experience health events during the study and do not wish to continue participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City: lead

Related Publications (11)

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  PMID: 12748199 BACKGROUND

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  PMID: 26673558 RESULT

• Song Q, Yuan Y, Jiao C, Zhu X. Curative effect of Tai Chi exercise in combination with auricular plaster therapy on improving obesity patient with secondary hyperlipidemia. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015 Nov 15;8(11):21386-92. eCollection 2015.

  PMID: 26885081 RESULT

• Pang T, Liu Z, Xu B. [Clinical observation on obesity and hyperlipidemia of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney syn- drome in female patients treated with warm acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2015 Jun;35(6):529-33. Chinese.

  PMID: 26480544 RESULT

• Yeh ML, Chu NF, Hsu MY, Hsu CC, Chung YC. Acupoint Stimulation on Weight Reduction for Obesity: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study. West J Nurs Res. 2015 Dec;37(12):1517-30. doi: 10.1177/0193945914548707. Epub 2014 Sep 1.

  PMID: 25183702 RESULT

• Cha HS, Park H. Effects of auricular acupressure on obesity in adolescents. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 May;35:316-322. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.014. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

  PMID: 31003676 RESULT

• Aronow WS. Treatment of high-risk older persons with lipid-lowering drug therapy. Am J Ther. 2008 Mar-Apr;15(2):102-7. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e31802b5aa4.

  PMID: 18356628 RESULT

• Zhang T, Chen J, Tang X, Luo Q, Xu D, Yu B. Interaction between adipocytes and high-density lipoprotein:new insights into the mechanism of obesity-induced dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Lipids Health Dis. 2019 Dec 16;18(1):223. doi: 10.1186/s12944-019-1170-9.

  PMID: 31842884 RESULT

• Wang K, Liu Z, Xu B. [Impact on the lipid level of obesity of spleen deficiency and damp blockage complicated by hyperlipemia treated with warm needling therapy and auricular acupuncture]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2016 Mar;36(3):225-30. Chinese.

  PMID: 27344822 RESULT

• Ismail LA, Ibrahim AA, Abdel-Latif GA, El-Haleem DA, Helmy G, Labib LM, El-Masry MK. Effect of Acupuncture on Body Weight Reduction and Inflammatory Mediators in Egyptian Obese Patients. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2015 Mar 15;3(1):85-90. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2015.010. Epub 2015 Jan 14.

  PMID: 27275202 RESULT

• Liu X, Chen K, Chen F. Clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with statin in dyslipidemia: A meta-analysis and system review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Sep 13;103(37):e39663. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039663.

  PMID: 39287278 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Atorvastatin; Diet; Standard of Care

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pyrroles; Azoles; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds; Heptanoic Acids; Fatty Acids; Lipids; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Diet, Food, and Nutrition; Physiological Phenomena; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Central Study Contacts

Ngoc Buu To, MD, Master

CONTACT

+84943382853; tbngoc.ths.yhct24@ump.edu.vn

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Single
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 28, 2026
• First Posted: June 3, 2026
• Study Start: May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05