NCT07240623

Comparison of Manual Acupuncture at Distal Acupoints Versus Electroacupuncture at Local Acupoints in Patients With Acute Neck Pain Due to Cervical Spondylosis

A Randomized Controlled Single-blind Clinical Trial Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Manual Acupuncture at Distal Acupoints With Electroacupuncture at Local Acupoints in Patients With Acute Neck Pain Due to Cervical Spondylosis

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 124 (actual)
• Sponsor: School of Medicine - Vietnam National University at Ho Chi Minh city · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial involving two groups: manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture, with 62 participants in each group. All participants received treatment once daily for 10 consecutive days, combined with at least 10 minutes of active cervical spine exercises per session. Participants were allowed to take one 500 mg tablet of paracetamol if the pain exceeded their tolerance threshold, with a minimum interval of 6 hours between doses and a maximum daily dose of 1,500 mg. The number of tablets taken each day was recorded. No other analgesic interventions were permitted during the study period. The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of the two interventions in improving pain intensity (VAS score) and limitations of cervical range of motion after each treatment session. In addition, adverse events were monitored and recorded after every intervention.

Conditions

• Cervical Spondylosis
• Acute Neck Pain
• Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
• Degenerative Cervical Spine

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Manual acupuncture at distal acupoints	Manual acupuncture applied for 25 minutes at distal acupoints selected based on meridian diagnosis (SI3, SI5, TE4, BL60, BL62, GB40) on the contralateral side of the pain. During needle retention, participants performed active cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) for at least 10 minutes.
PROCEDURE	Electroacupuncture at local acupoints	Electroacupuncture applied for 25 minutes at local acupoints (GB20-SI15 and GB21-LU7) on the painful side. After needle removal, participants performed active cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) for at least 10 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-09-25
• Primary completion: 2025-04-30
• Completion: 2025-05-15
• First posted: 2025-11-21
• Last updated: 2025-11-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Vietnam