Table 1 Time to visit and data collection

Baseline

Treatment phase

Follow-up Phase

Patients

Informed consent

X

Medical history

X

Physical examination

X

Randomization

X

Interventions

Specific acupoints of Stomach meridians(n = 120)

Non-specific acupoints of Stomach meridians(n = 120)

20 sessions of acupuncture at acupoints

Acupoints of Shu and Mu acupoints(n = 120)

Acupoints of Gallbladder meridians(n = 120)

Comparisons

Non-acupoints control group(n = 120)

20 sessions of acupuncture at non-acupoints

Itopride control group(n = 120)

50 mg three times daily, 20 days treatment

Outcomes ^a

NDI

X

X

X

X

X

SID

X

X

X

X

X

SF-36

X

X

X

X

Participants safety

Laboratory test

X

X

Adverse events

X

X

X

X

X