NCT07390929

Clinical Trial Study on the Improved New Method of Acupotomy for AS

Clinical Trial Study on the Improved New Method of Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Henan Provincial People's Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study employs a randomized controlled trial methodology to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified acupotomy technique in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Through ultrasound-guided localization, the operative sites are assessed to clarify the improvement effect of the modified acupotomy on disease activity in AS patients. The aim is to enhance the clinical outcomes of AS, provide evidence-based medical support for acupotomy treatment of AS, and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for the condition.

Conditions

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Acupotomy	All subjects were enrolled at week 0 and, after completing baseline assessments, received acupotomy treatment once per week for a total of four sessions over the initial three- week period. The core intervention for the treatment group (acupotomy group) involved ultrasound-guided precise release: first, the target vertebra with the most significant lesions was identified through palpation and ultrasound imaging, after which the acupotomy was accurately guided in real-time via ultrasound to the interspinous points (located at the interspinous ligaments) and paraspinal points (located at the intertransverse ligaments) of the target vertebra and adjacent vertebrae for release.
PROCEDURE	Sham Acupotomy	The control group (sham acupotomy group) strictly replicated all preliminary procedures of the treatment group, including exploration, ultrasound localization, and local anesthesia. However, the acupotomy needle only pierced the epidermis without performing any release operations in the deeper tissues, thereby maintaining blinding and assessing the specific effect of the acupotomy therapy.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-05
• Primary completion: 2028-07-30
• Completion: 2029-06-30
• First posted: 2026-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-02-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China