Clinical trial NCT06939309: Efficacy of Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain Based on Remote Point Selection According to the Meridians
Official title: Efficacy of Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain Based on Remote Point Selection According to the Meridians
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Shoulder Pain
Acupuncture
Meridians
Keywords: Shoulder pain
Acupuncture
Meridians
Lead sponsor: China Medical University Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-04-22
Enrollment: 90
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This double blind randomized controlled trial investigates the immediate efficacy of acupuncture for shoulder pain using remote point selection based on meridian theory. A total of 90 participants with shoulder pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥ 4) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: acupuncture SC, acupuncture CS, and rehabilitation. Meridian selection will be determined based on the patient's most painful shoulder movement and corresponding pain location, followed by standardized distal acupoint application. Outcome measures include changes in pain intensity (NRS) and shoulder range of motion assessed at baseline, post-first acupuncture, post-second acupuncture, and 30 minutes post-treatment. Blinded evaluators will conduct all assessments. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meridian-based remote acupuncture and explore its relationship with shoulder movement patterns and soft tissue involvement.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must be at least 18 years old.
* Shoulder pain persisting for at least one week.
* Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with cervical radiculopathy or other localized neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
* Psychiatric disorders that may interfere with examination, treatment, or evaluation of disease progression.
* Pregnant patients.
* Inability to provide informed consent.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pain Intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS: 0-10)
timeFrame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Range of Motion
timeFrame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Taichung
country: Taiwan
facility: Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare
Study officials:
References:
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