Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST-36) to help heal diabetic foot ulcers

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

Adults with diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner grade 1–3, ulcer area 2–30 cm²) will be assigned to receive standard diabetes and wound care with or without additional electroacupuncture at the Zusanli (ST‑36) point. Standard care includes diabetes education, glucose control with insulin and/or oral agents, antibiotics if needed, regular wound cleaning and daily dressing changes, and drainage of abscesses when present. The electroacupuncture group will receive electrical stimulation at ST‑36 in addition to this care, and researchers will compare wound-healing outcomes between the groups over the study period. Eligible patients must also meet Traditional Chinese Medicine criteria for blood stasis obstructing the collateral pattern and have HbA1c below 9%.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetic foot ulcers;
2. Meet the criteria for Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome differentiation, classified as blood stasis obstructing the collateral pattern;
3. Wagner Grade 1-3, with ulcer area ranging from 2 cm² to 30 cm²;
4. Male or female, aged between 18 and 75 years;
5. Provide signed informed consent, voluntarily participate in this study, and demonstrate good compliance.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Complicated with severe diseases of the brain, liver, heart, lungs, or kidneys;
2. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant;
3. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level ≥ 9%;
4. Complicated with psychiatric disorders;
5. Complicated with genetic or infectious diseases, malignant tumors, or other severe conditions associated with a short life expectancy;
6. Concurrent participation in other clinical trials or participation within 4 weeks prior to randomization.

Where it's running

• Zongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University
  Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Dachun Chen
• Email: peoplechenda@126.com
• Phone: 13912992162

Similar studies

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

• Nurse-led foot care education using the Health Belief Model for adults on hemodialysis

  This program will test whether nurse-led foot care education based on the Health Belief Model helps adults with diabetes on hemodialysis improve foot care and lower their risk of foot ulcers.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Inonu University · Elâzığ, Merkez and 2 other locations · NCT07462741

• Calcaneal Bone Marrow Cells in Foot/Ankle Surgery Patients

  This observational study tests whether routine preoperative blood tests relate to the quality and behavior of mesenchymal stem cells from calcaneal bone marrow in adults undergoing foot or ankle surgery.

  Recruiting Universidade Sao Francisco · Bragança Paulista, São Paulo · NCT07802106

• Semaglutide to help heal foot ulcers in people with type 2 diabetes

  This 20-week randomized, double-blind trial will try semaglutide versus placebo to see if it helps heal foot ulcers in adults with type 2 diabetes.

  Recruiting Phase 3 University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg · Copenhagen · NCT07581145

• Single-layer placental graft plus standard care for stubborn diabetic foot ulcers

  This trial will try a single-layer placental-based graft together with usual wound care for adults whose diabetic foot ulcers did not heal after standard treatment in an earlier trial.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Applied Biologics, LLC · Hollywood, Florida · NCT07159282

• Wound matrix treatments for nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers

  This trial will test whether adding special wound matrix products to standard care helps close hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers in adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes within 12 weeks.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Sequence LifeScience, Inc. · Monroeville, Pennsylvania · NCT07086443

• Using stem cells from fat to treat diabetic foot ulcers

  This study is testing if using stem cells from fat, along with a special blood product, can help heal chronic foot ulcers in people with diabetes.

  Recruiting Phase 1 University of the Punjab · Lahore, Punjab Province · NCT05610865

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.