The effects of acupuncture for patients with psoriasis Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, which may have considerable detrimental effects on the quality of life. Considering high costs and side effects associated with the use of conventional medications, acupuncture, as one of complementary and alternative nonpharmacological therapies, is commonly used in the management of psoriasis for reducing itching, repairing the skin lesions, etc. However, the effects of acupuncture in the management of psoriasis are still inconsistent, especially in psychosocial abnormality due to psoriasis. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving a placebo control to ensure participants' blinding to investigate the effects of acupuncture for psoriasis in improving typical clinical symptoms and psychosocial abnormality. Methods: A singlecenter RCT was designed. 220 participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into manual acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will respectively receive 15 minutes manual acupuncture or sham acupuncture per session, 3 sessions per week, totally 12 weeks. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores, body surface area (BSA), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 will be evaluated by blinded operators at baseline and 12 weeks. All analyses will be based on an intention-to-treat principle. The results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. Discussion: The results of this study are expected to clarify the effects of acupuncture on improving typical clinical symptoms and psychosocial abnormality of patients with psoriasis. It will contribute to clinical practice of acupuncture in the management of psoriasis.