title: Efficacy of electroacupuncture at Zhongliao point (BL33) for mild and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acu-point specificity is a key issue in acupuncture. To date there has not been any satisfactory trial which can ratify the specific effect of acupuncture. This trial will evaluate the specific effect of BL33 for mild and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on the basis of its effectiveness. The non-specific effect will be excluded and the therapeutic effect will be evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. 100 Patients will be randomly allocated into the treatment group (n = 50) and the control group (n = 50). The treatment group receives needling at BL33 and the control group receives needling at non-point. The needling depth, angle, direction, achievement of De Qi and parameters of electroacupuncture are exactly the same in both groups. The primary outcome measure is reduction of international prostate symptom score (IPSS) at the 6th week and the secondary outcome measures are reduction of bladder residual urine, increase in maximum urinary flow rate at the 6th week and reduction of IPSS at the 18th week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial will assess the specific therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at BL33 for mild and moderate BPH.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Protocol Registration System of Clinical Trials.gov NCT01218243.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhishun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jinna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yulong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000628:therapy*; D011786:Quality Control; D012107:Research Design