The two therapies in the Santé-AF trial are traditional acupuncture and nutritional therapy. Here, you can find out more about what each therapy is.
Acupuncture
Both acupuncture and nutritional therapy are premised on an understanding of the patient as a complex and unique individual, whose overall health is influenced by not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual factors [1, 2, 3].
Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient principles of Oriental medicine. Treatment effects are achieved via the stimulation of acupuncture ‘points’ on channels or ‘meridians’ in the body, sometimes by inserting small filiform needles, and sometimes by using pressure or other techniques. In technical language, this provokes modulation of sympathetic tone and motor reflexes, endogenous descending pain inhibitory and facilitatory systems, activation or de-activation of limbic structures, HPA axis, prefrontal and frontal cortices, parasympathetic activity and immune system activation amongst others [4, 5, 6].
A first acupuncture appointment is typically around 90 minutes long and includes a consultation period in which a full range of information is gathered on the patient’s presenting conditions, medical and other types of history, diet and lifestyle. After this, an initial diagnosis made according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and a treatment is given, based on the diagnosis. Repeat treatments usually last around an hour, with a consultation period in which progress is discussed, the treatment strategy is adjusted as necessary, and the treatment is given. Acupuncturists also typically include lifestyle advice in their treatments, including dietary advice and support for their patients to change unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Acupuncturists in the Santé-AF study are all members of the British Acupuncture Council, the UK’s regulatory body, which is an accredited register of the Professional Standards Authority. Members have typically achieved at least first degree-level training in acupuncture, and are committed to high standards of practice.
Nutritional therapy
Nutritional therapy (NT) consists in the application of nutrition science to promote health. The initial consultation gathers information from the client on signs and symptoms, which potentially indicate factors that could cause ill-health. In technical language, these might include compromised gut function, environmental factors, hormone and neurotransmitter regulation, detoxification and energy production/oxidative stress. Based on the initial consultation information, a highly individualised dietary strategy is drawn up to support nutritional balance and thereby promote health [1].
A first NT appointment is usually 90 minutes to two hours long, during which a range of detailed information is gathered on the patient’s presenting conditions, diet, lifestyle, and medical and other types of history. Brief nutritional advice may be given at this first appointment. Following this, a detailed dietary analysis and strategy is formulated and the patient returns for a second appointment to discuss this (around an hour). Following this, the patient begins to implement the strategy, and returns for a follow-up appointment (about an hour) some weeks later to check progress and adjust the strategy as needed.
Nutritional therapists in the Santé-AF study are all members of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, the UK’s leading membership professional body. Members have typically achieved at least first degree-level training in nutritional therapy, and are committed to high standards of practice. They must be registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), an organisation which holds an accredited register with the Professional Standards Authority.
1. BANT. (2015). Nutritional Therapy: the Consultation Process. London. [Online]. Available at: www.bant.org.uk.
2. BANT. (2018). About Nutritional Therapy | BANT. [Online]. Available at: http://bant.org.uk/about-nutritional-therapy/ [Accessed 22 January 2019].
3. Eckersley, D. et al. (2009). The Standards of Practice for Acupuncture. British Acupuncture Council, London.
4. Lund, I. and Lundeberg, T. (2016). Mechanisms of acupuncture. Acupuncture and Related Therapies, 4 (4), pp.26–30.
5. Cheng, K. J. (2014). Neurobiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Some Common Illnesses: A Clinician’s Perspective. JAMS Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 7 (3), pp.105–114. [Online]. Available at: doi:10.1016/j.jams.2013.07.008.
6. Kawakita, K. and Okada, K. (2014). Acupuncture therapy: Mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety: A potential intervention for psychogenic disorders? BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 8 (4), pp.1–7. [Online]. Available at: doi:10.1186/1751-0759-8-4.
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