Acupuncture for Gag Reflex Relief at CV24 vs PC6 and K3 in Healthy Volunteers
Official title: The Mechanism of Acupuncture for Relief of Pharyngeal (Gag) Reflex - an Experimental Crossover Investigation
Run by University Medicine Greifswald · NCT07664826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether acupuncture at CV24 reduces the gag reflex in healthy adults, compares it to acupuncture at PC6 and K3, and checks if a local anesthetic (EMLA) at CV24 blocks the effect.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 20 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Medicine Greifswald Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Greifswald) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 21, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 2026 |
| Study ends | August 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07664826 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy adults aged 20–40 years, ASA I–II, acupuncture-naïve, without local skin lesions or drug allergies to anesthetics, and able to provide informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants with skin infections at acupuncture sites, drug allergies to local anesthetics, or inability to understand consent or rating scales may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants will undergo a crossover comparison of acupuncture at CV24, PC6, and K3 in healthy volunteers to see which site more effectively relieves the gag reflex. In a second step, the study will test whether applying EMLA cream locally blocks the gag-relief effect of CV24 acupuncture. The trial will use standard acupuncture procedures and a numeric rating scale to measure gag response, with safety monitoring for adverse effects. Eligible volunteers are adults 20–40 years old, ASA I–II, who have not used opioids or psychotropic medications recently and have no contraindications to local anesthetics. The study aims to characterize the mechanism and potential rapid relief provided by specific acupoints.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify an effective, non-drug method to lessen gag reflex sensitivity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on acupuncture for gag reflex are limited; this approach explores a novel comparison of specific acupoints and the influence of local anesthesia.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Healthy volunteers aged between 20-40 years old with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I to II naïve to acupuncture 2. Participants without previous opioid and psychotropic medication 3. Without use of recreational drugs 3 days prior to study sessions 4. Without systemic disease or local skin lesions at the sites of acupuncture 5. Without drug allergy to local anesthetics, especially EMLA preparation 6. Participants who have given written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Local skin infection at the sites of acupuncture 2. Aged \< 20 or \> 35 years 3. History of drug allergy to local anesthetics 4. Participants who are unable to understand the consent form or to use numeric rating scale NRS-11 Discontinuation Criteria 1. Any adverse effects during study session 2. In case of local or systemic infection 3. In case if subject will withdraw from participation in this study at any time, for any reason, specified or non-specified, and without penalty or loss of benefits
Where it's running
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University Medicine of Greifswald
Greifswald, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Taras I Usichenko, Prof. Dr. med., MD, PhD
- Email: tarasik@me.com
- Phone: +49 (0) 3434864028
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.