Acupuncture with Chinese herbal cream versus acupuncture with calcipotriol for plaque psoriasis
Comparative Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined With Chinese Herbal Cream and Acupuncture Combined With Calcipotriol for Plaque Psoriasis.
This project will see if acupuncture plus a Chinese herbal cream works as well as acupuncture plus calcipotriol ointment for people with mild plaque psoriasis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 28 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mae Fah Luang University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Muang, Chiangrai) |
| Trial ID | NCT07410793 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This Phase 2 interventional study compares two combination treatments for plaque psoriasis: acupuncture with a topical Chinese herbal cream versus acupuncture with topical calcipotriol 0.005% ointment. Eligible adults have mild plaque psoriasis (≤10% body surface area, PASI ≤10, DLQI ≤10) and must be off other psoriasis treatments for at least four weeks. Participants are assigned to receive acupuncture together with one of the topical preparations and will have skin severity and quality-of-life measures recorded before and after the treatment period. The trial is conducted at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiangrai, Thailand, and excludes patients with non-plaque psoriasis types, major uncontrolled illnesses, recent biologic therapy, anticoagulant use, pregnancy, or needle phobia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with mild plaque psoriasis (≤10% BSA, PASI ≤10, DLQI ≤10) who have not used psoriasis treatments for at least four weeks and who can undergo acupuncture are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with extensive or non-plaque forms of psoriasis, recent biologic or immunosuppressive therapy, pregnancy, anticoagulant use, needle phobia, or uncontrolled systemic disease are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer an alternative topical option combined with acupuncture that improves skin symptoms and quality of life for patients with mild plaque psoriasis.
How similar studies have performed: Small trials and observational reports have shown mixed or limited benefits from acupuncture and topical herbal therapies for psoriasis, so this combined approach remains promising but not yet well proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Plaque psoriasis on skin, scalp, or nails * Not receive any psoriasis treatment at least 4 weeks prior to the study * ≤10% body surface area (BSA), PASI≤10, DLQI≤10 Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy and lactation * Other type of psoriasis i.e. Psoriatic arthritis, Pustular psoriasis, Erythrodermic psoriasis * Uncontrollable diseases i.e. CVS, liver, kidney, cancer * Using anticoagulants i.e. Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel, Dabigatran, Riavaraxaban, Apixaban, Heparin * Treated with psoriasis biologic agents in the past 6 months * Needle phobia * Receiving immunosuppresive agents i.e. systemic corticosteroid, NSAIDs, chemotherapeutic agents * Participating in other clinical study
Where this trial is running
Muang, Chiangrai
- Mae Fah Luang University — Muang, Chiangrai, Thailand (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dr.Sinee Tantasatityanon, TCMD, PhD
- Email: sinee.tan@mfu.ac.th
- Phone: +66818092078
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.