Acupuncture for treating mild to moderate Crohn's disease

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of acupuncture on patients with mild to moderate active Crohn's disease. It aims to evaluate how acupuncture influences symptoms of the disease, brain function activity, and the metabolism of tryptophan-kynurenine. The study will also identify brain image markers associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in this patient population. Participants will receive acupuncture treatment while their clinical outcomes and biological markers will be closely monitored.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged 16-70;
2. patients with mild or moderate active disease (150 ≤ CDAI \< 450);
3. patients who are not responsive, intolerant, dependent or refused to use at least mesalazine, glucocorticoid, immunomodulator (azathioprine, methotrexate), anti TNF alpha preparation;
4. patients were not taking medication or were only taking one or more of the following drugs: \[prednisone ≤15mg/d, azathioprine (≤1mg/kg/d), methotrexate (≤15mg/w) or mesalazine (≤4g/d)\] and prednisone was used for at least 1 month, while azathioprine, methotrexate or mesalazine was used for at least 3 months;
5. those who did not use anti-TNF alpha and other agents within 3 months before entering the study;
6. those who have never experienced acupuncture;
7. patients signing informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients who are recently pregnant or in pregnancy or lactation;
2. patients with serious organic diseases;
3. patients diagnosed as psychosis;
4. patients who take antibiotics, probiotics, traditional Chinese medicine and other drugs at the same time, or who suffer from multiple diseases and need to take other drugs for a long time, and may affect the observation of the efficacy of this trial;
5. severe skin diseases (such as erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, etc.), eye diseases (such as iritis, uveitis, etc.), thromboembolic diseases and other serious extraintestinal manifestations;
6. there are serious intestinal fistula, abdominal abscess, intestinal stenosis and obstruction, perianal abscess, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal perforation and other complications;
7. patients with short bowel syndrome who have undergone abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery in the past half a year;
8. there are skin diseases or defects in the selected area of acupuncture and moxibustion that cannot be performed.

Where it's running

• Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian
  Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting
• Guona Li
  Shanghai, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Chunhui Bao, MD, PhD
• Email: baochunhui789@126.com
• Phone: +862164395973

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.