Acupuncture for Blunt Chest Trauma

Introduction: Chest blunt trauma accounts in up to 65% of polytrauma patients. In patients with 0-2 rib fracture, the treatment is relatively limited to oral pain killer and breathing exercise. The patients will suffer two weeks of severe pain accompanied with poor sleep and inability to preform simple daily live activities. In this double blind randomized control study, the investigators offer acupuncture as an additional treatment option. Methods: The study is a double blind randomized control trial. the study goal is to examine the effect of acupuncture on patients with chest trauma. the study will include totally 72 patients and divide them to two group; the press needle acupuncture (Acu) and placebo (Con) group. Both groups will receive one treatment, following the first visit to the clinic after chest trauma accident. Follow up time will be 3 months. Expected outcome: The results of this study can potentially provide a simple and cost effective provide analgesic solution to blunt chest trauma patients. The study design can serve as supporting evidence for future double blind studies in acupuncture. Other information: The study will be conducted in thoracic surgical department and acupuncture department in China medical university hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. The study is conducted on blunt chest injury patients and is anticipated to have minimum risk for adverse events. Enrollment of the patients and data collection will start after March 2020. The study expected completion time will be March 2022. Keywords: blunt chest trauma, acupuncture, press tack needle, rib fracture