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Electro-thumbtack Needle Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain

NCT04981171 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 180

Last updated 2022-03-31

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This prospective trial will be a single-center, participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial. It is reported in previous studies that both acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are effective in reducing neck pain comparing to placebo or exercise. Taking into account the convenience of electro-thumbtack needle therapy shown in clinical practice, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electro-thumbtack needle therapy for alleviating chronic neck pain compared with sham electro-thumbtack needle therapy.

Conditions

  • Neck Pain

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Electro-thumbtack Needle Therapy

Each treatment session starts with sterilizing acupoints. Dazhui (GV14), bilateral Wangu (GB12), bilateral cervical Jiaji (at C4 and C6 level), two Ashi points and bilateral Houxi (SI3) have been selected in accordance with the principle of acupuncture prescription making and the consensus of experts on treating neck pain. Electro-thumbtack needles (0.25×2 mm) will be held by the acupuncturist between thumb and forefinger, vertically inserted into skin instantly and taped well on skin. Then assemble the gel electrodes to the surface of the conductive adhesive tape, also assemble the portable stimulation devices, adjust the current intensity from level 1 to a proper level that the participant can tolerate. Participants will receive three 30-min treatment sessions per week every other day for 4 consecutive weeks.

PROCEDURE

Sham electro-thumbtack needle therapy

Each treatment session starts with sterilizing acupoints. Sham electro-thumbtack needles (0.25×0.2 mm) will be held by the acupuncturist between thumb and forefinger, taped well on skin without penetration. The adhesive tape of needles are also produced with conductive material, after assembling the gel electrodes and the portable stimulation devices, adjust the current intensity to level 1 for a minimal stimulus which will last for only 30 seconds. By this time the acupuncturist will turn the device off to cut the current. Participants will receive three 30-min treatment sessions per week every other day for 4 consecutive weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Shi Hangyu

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Hangyu Shi · Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-04-03
Primary Completion
2023-12-31
Completion
2023-12-31

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04981171 on ClinicalTrials.gov