Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture in Improving Arterial Stiffness Among Patients With Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Cardio-renal metabolic syndrome (CRMS) is a vicious cycle of cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease, representing a high-risk for atherosclerosis. Laser acupuncture modulates vascular inflammation and improves endothelial function via low-level laser therapy (LLLT, <500mW) at acupoints or musculoskeletal pain sites. Few studies have focused on CRMS populations. This study evaluates laser acupuncture effects on arterial stiffness in CRMS.

Purpose: To assess the effects of improvement of laser acupuncture in patients with CRMS, and to evaluate its feasibility as supportive therapy.

Methods: A single-group pre-post design is used. Participants are patients with CRMS receiving laser acupuncture at a Chinese medicine clinic in Taiwan. CRMS is interrelated by cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease. Inclusion criteria require diagnosis in ≥2 of 3 systems (cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic; n = 35). Laser acupuncture will be applied to bilateral BL40 for 12 weeks (1-3 sessions/week, 60mins/session). Pulse wave velocity(PWV) measured by Omron HBP- 8000 as the primary outcome for arterial stiffness. Paired t-tests and GEE will be used for analysis.

Expected Results: PWV is expected to show significant improvement after intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Hypertension Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Syndrome Cardiovascular Diseases Chronic Disease Chronic Kidney Disease Diabetes Mellitus Disease Attributes Endocrine System Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Glucose Metabolism Disorders Kidney Diseases Male Urogenital Diseases Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Renal Insufficiency Renal Insufficiency, Chronic Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18 years or older
Diagnosed with at least two conditions related to cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or dyslipidemia)
Receiving routine laser acupuncture treatment in a clinical setting
Able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Presence of acute cardiovascular events (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, stroke)
Acute kidney injury
Presence of medical devices or conditions that contraindicate the use of laser acupuncture at the treatment site (e.g., arteriovenous shunt)
Unable to complete the study procedures or follow-up assessments

Treatment and study plan

Laser Acupuncture

Other

Low-level laser therapy applied to acupuncture points as part of routine clinical treatment. No additional intervention is assigned for research purposes.

Primary outcomes

Change in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)

Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Apr 21, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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