Author contributions
RECRUITMENT
ZZ, W-JZ, and F-YZ conceived and designed this trial. RC and GK contributed to the trial design and guidance in analysis methods. W-JZ and H-RW were responsible for participant recruitment. HX was in charge of delivering treatment. F-YZ and Y-LH were responsible for outcome assessments and data collection. TJ conducted randomization and allocation concealment. Data analysis was performed by Q-QF and F-YZ. The manuscript was drafted by F-YZ and was carefully revised and edited by ZZ, RC, GK, and W-JZ. All authors have read this manuscript and approved the submitted version.Sincere thanks went to all the patients who participated in this study. The authors also extend their gratitude to Prof. Wen-Zhong Wu from Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China for providing advice on sham- acupuncture protocol.