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Article History

Received: 9 October 2017

Accepted: 13 March 2018

First Online: 13 April 2018

Authors’ information

: GMH is a medical doctor employed at the HMC. TF is a doctor of biology employed at the HMC. HJG is a general practitioner, head of the Heidelberg School of TCM and professor at the University of Porto. R. Plaetke is a scientist for biostatistics at the UKE. CG is the director of the department of Neurology at the UKE and vice-director of the UKE. SVS is a neurologist and director of the HMC.

: The ACUDIN trial is structured in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. It has been approved by the institutional advisory board of the HanseMerkur Center (HMC) and the Ethics Committee of the Chamber of Physicians Hamburg (PV3518). Participants are invited to an assessment interview and give their written informed consent before randomization. Patients participate voluntarily and have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without stating reasons. Best medical care and pre-existent medication are maintained during the study period. Patients are allowed to use pain medication but asked to provide details of the nature of relevant medicines at each visit. Insurance for commuting-related accidents has been provided. Study documents are stored in a locked cupboard at the HMC for 15 years after termination of the trial.

: Not applicable

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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