Comparing pharmacopuncture and acupuncture for chronic neck pain
Clinical Research of Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacopuncture Therapy and Acupuncture Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain: A Pragmatic Randomized Strategy Comparative Clinical Trial
This study is testing whether pharmacopuncture or acupuncture works better for relieving chronic neck pain in patients.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 128 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Jaseng Medical Foundation Academic / other |
| Locations | 6 sites (Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu and 5 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06520462 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture compared to acupuncture in treating patients with chronic neck pain. A total of 128 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either pharmacopuncture or acupuncture based on the clinical judgment of a traditional Korean medicine doctor. The specific treatment methods will not be predetermined, allowing for a tailored approach to each patient's condition. The study will record all treatment methods used to assess their effectiveness in alleviating neck pain.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 19 to 70 with chronic neck pain lasting more than three months and a pain score of 5 or higher.
Not a fit: Patients with serious underlying conditions causing neck pain or those with specific chronic diseases that may interfere with treatment outcomes may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from chronic neck pain.
How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on acupuncture for pain management, the specific comparison of pharmacopuncture and acupuncture in this context is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with neck pain persisting for more than 3 months 2. Patients with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 5 or higher for neck pain 3. Patients aged between 19 and 70 years 4. Patients who agree to participate in the clinical study and provide a written informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients diagnosed with serious specific diseases that could be the cause of neck pain (e.g., spinal metastasis of tumors, acute fractures, and spinal dislocations) 2. Patients exhibiting progressive neurological deficits or severe neurological symptoms 3. Patients whose pain originates from soft tissue disorders rather than the spine (e.g., tumors, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout) 4. Patients with other chronic diseases that could interfere with the interpretation of treatment effects or outcomes (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney disease, diabetic neuropathy, dementia, epilepsy) 5. Patients currently taking steroids, immunosuppressants, psychiatric medications, or other drugs that could affect the study results 6. Patients for whom pharmacopuncture treatment is inappropriate or unsafe: those with bleeding disorders, those undergoing anticoagulant therapy, and severe diabetic patients with infection risks 7. Patients who have taken medications that could affect pain (e.g., Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, NSAIDs) or received pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, or physical therapy within the past week 8. Pregnant women, those planning to become pregnant, or those currently breastfeeding 9. Patients who have undergone cervical spine surgery within the past 3 months 10. Patients who have not completed participation in another clinical study within the past month or plan to participate in another clinical study during the study participation and follow-up period within 6 months from the date of selection 11. Patients who find it difficult to provide informed consent for participation 12. Other cases where the researcher deems participation in the clinical study to be difficult
Where this trial is running
Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu and 5 other locations
- Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital — Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
- Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong — Seoul, Gangdong-gu, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
- Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Hospital — Seongnam, GGyeonggi-do, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
- Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine — Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
- Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine — Busan, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
- Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine — Daejeon, Korea, Republic of (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: In-Hyuk Ha, Dr
- Email: hanihata@gmail.com
- Phone: 1577-0007
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.