title: Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chronic dizziness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dizziness is one of the most challenging symptoms in medicine. No medication for dizziness in current use has well-established curative or prophylactic value or is suitable for long-term palliative use. Unconventional remedies, such as acupuncture, should be considered and scientifically evaluated. However, there has been relatively little evidence in randomized controlled clinical trials on acupuncture to treat chronic dizziness. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in patients with dizziness.
  
  
  METHODS
  This trial is a randomized, single-blind, controlled study. A total of 80 participants will be randomly assigned to two treatment groups receiving acupuncture and sham acupuncture treatment, respectively, for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measures are the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS). Treatment will be conducted over a period of 4 weeks, at a frequency of two sessions per week. The assessment is at baseline (before treatment initiation), 4 weeks after the first acupuncture session, and 8 weeks after the first acupuncture session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from this study will provide clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in patients with chronic dizziness.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN52695239.
authors: Zhe
authors: Z
authors: Xue
authors: Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China. lcz623780@126.com.
authors: Cun-Zhi
authors: CZ
authors: Liu
authors: Guang-Xia
authors: GX
authors: Shi
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Zhao-Xin
authors: ZX
authors: Li
authors: Zhen-Hua
authors: ZH
authors: Zhang
authors: Lin-Peng
authors: LP
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002681:China; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome