Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy for heel pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Heel pain is a common foot disorder that causes pain and functional limitations. The prevalence of disabling foot pain will increase as the population ages. Previous studies have reported the positive therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture, warm needling, or the combination of both for heel pain but with limitations in the study methodologies. The current study is a rigorously designed randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy in patients with heel pain. METHODS/DESIGN: The study protocol describes a prospective, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to be conducted in Hong Kong. Eighty patients aged 50–80 years who have reported heel pain and first-step pain equal to or exceeding 50 mm on the 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) will be recruited. They will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to the electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy (i.e., treatment) group or the waitlist (i.e., control) group. The treatment group will undergo six treatment sessions in 4 weeks. The control group will receive no treatment during the study period. The primary outcome measure is a mean change in the first-step pain VAS score from the baseline to week 4. Secondary outcome measures include a mean change in first-step pain VAS score from the baseline to week 2, a mean change in Foot Function Index (FFI) subscale scores and the total score from the baseline to week 2 and week 4, and patients’ self-reported level of improvement at week 4. Additional week 8 follow-up assessments with first-step pain VAS and FFI measurements will be arranged for the treatment group. Any adverse events will be recorded throughout the study to evaluate safety. An intention-to-treat approach will be used to analyze the study results. DISCUSSION: This study will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy as an alternative treatment method for heel pain. The findings will determine whether the treatment protocol is efficacious in relieving pain and improving foot function among older adults with heel pain. The study will also provide information for subsequent large-scale randomized controlled trials in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800014906. Registered on 12 February 2018. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3572-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.