Acupoint TENS vs Resistance Training for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Summary

The current study is designed to compare between the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation and resistance exercises on hemoglobin level in women with iron deficiency anemia.The design of this study will be a randomized controlled trial (RCT) pretest post-test assessment.Sixty women diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia will be recruited in this study from Kafrelshiekh University Hospital, Kafrelshiekh Governorate, Egypt. Their ages will be ranged from 20 to 30 years old, and they will be randomly divided into three equal (n= 20) groups. Change in hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) after the intervention period and changes in RBC count, MCV, MCH, RDW, serum ferritin, fatigue level, and functional exercise capacity after treatment will be measured.

Conditions

• Iron Deficiency Anemia

Interventions

DEVICE

Acupuncture transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Acu-TENS)

This technique will be applied to the study group (A) only as follow: In the Acu-TENS group, electrodes of the TENS device will be applied over bilateral gall bladder 39 (on the lateral aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun above the tip of the external malleolus, on the anterior border of the fibula) and spleen 6 (a width of four fingers above the medial malleolus on the posterior border of the tibia)

BEHAVIORAL

Resistance exercise training

Resistance exercise training: This type of exercise training will be applied to the study group (B) only as follow: Resistance exercise is commonly prescribed using the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type).Multi-joint resistance exercises covering major muscle groups (legs, back, arms, core), by using free weights for legs and arms, body weight through (squats, lunges and pushups).

DRUG

Ferrous Sulfate

Oral iron supplementation using ferrous sulfate 325 mg (approximately 65 mg elemental iron) administered as a single morning dose, preferably on alternate days, to optimize iron absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects based on current clinical recommendations.

BEHAVIORAL

Iron-rich diet with vitamin C

Dietary intervention including increased intake of iron-rich foods (such as red meat and legumes) along with vitamin C-rich foods (such as citrus fruits) to enhance iron absorption.

BEHAVIORAL

Avoidance of iron absorption inhibitors

Participants are advised to avoid tea, coffee, calcium, and antacids within 2 hours of iron intake to optimize absorption.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kafrelsheikh University

  collaborator OTHER

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dina Ebrahim Mohamed Aboshady, BSc PT · Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University

• Nagwa Mohamed Hamed Badr, PhD · Cairo University

• Dina Ebrahim Mohamed Aboshady, BSc PT · Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-15

Primary Completion

2026-08-15

Completion

2026-10-15

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations