Randomization
Patients were randomized to receive either the control group or the EA group using the sealed envelope method by means of a one-to-one treatment allocation. The randomization was carried out by a clinician not involved in this study. Treatment assignments were generated using a randomized numerical table method. Envelopes were numbered sequentially, opaque. The outside serial number envelope was in line with the patient's visit sequence. The physician provided the enrolled patient with a sealed envelope labeled with the serial number. The patient then opened the sealed envelope containing the patient’s random group information. The primary investigator knew nothing about patient assignment until the study and data analysis were complete.