Laser Acupuncture for Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients

Scientific Rationale Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). It is a multidimensional condition influenced by anemia, uremia, and the long-term psychosocial stress of dialysis. Conventional pharmacological treatments often yield limited efficacy for fatigue and sleep disturbances while posing risks of adverse effects. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as acupressure and exercise, have shown potential, but high-quality clinical evidence remains insufficient. Laser acupuncture (LA), or photobiomodulation (PBM), is a non-invasive, non-thermal therapy that applies low-level laser energy to traditional acupuncture points. It is proposed to modulate mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit inflammatory responses, offering a safe alternative for patients who may not be suitable for or are fearful of traditional needle acupuncture.

Study Protocol and Intervention This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial. A total of 50 participants will be recruited from the hemodialysis center and randomly assigned to either the experimental (LA) group or the sham control group in a 1:1 ratio.

• Experimental Group: Participants will receive low-level laser therapy at specific acupoints: KI1 (Yongquan), ST36 (Zusanli), SP10 (Xuehai), PC8 (Laogong), EX-UE9 (Bafeng), EX-UE9 (Baxie), and LU9 (Taiyuan). Each session lasts 15-30 minutes, administered 3 times per week during the dialysis process for a duration of 4 weeks.
• Sham Control Group: Participants will undergo an identical procedure using a sham device that mimics the operation and appearance of the laser equipment but does not emit actual laser energy, ensuring the maintenance of blinding.

Technical Assessment and Data Analysis

To objectively evaluate the systemic effects of LA on the circulatory and autonomic nervous systems, this study integrates several biomedical engineering technologies:

• Microcirculation Analysis: Skin microvascular blood flow and blood volume changes are monitored using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and Photoplethysmography (PPG).
• Vascular and Autonomic Assessment: Brachial Pulse Wave (BPW) analysis will be used to evaluate arterial stiffness, while Heart Rate Variability (HRV) will assess the balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Evaluation: Standardized tongue diagnosis photography and the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) will be used to track changes in the participants' TCM constitutional types and internal "Qi" and blood status.

Statistical analysis will utilize t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests to compare symptom improvement between groups. Mixed-effects models or Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) will be employed to evaluate the long-term impact of treatment on blood pressure and microcirculation while controlling for potential confounding factors such as age and dialysis vintage.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who require regular maintenance hemodialysis.
• Must undergo hemodialysis treatment at least 3 times per week.
• Aged 18 years or older.
• Willing and able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of acute infectious symptoms.
• Unstable vital signs.
• Diagnosis of malignant tumors.
• Pregnancy.
• Presence of open wounds at the sites designated for laser intervention.
• Patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers or other cardiac devices.