Electroacupuncture for acute shingles pain and biomarker testing

Research on the Therapeutic Effect of Electroacupuncture on Acute Herpes Zoster-Associated Pain and Its Anti-inflammatory Injury Mechanism

This trial will test whether adding electroacupuncture to standard antiviral treatment reduces pain and the chance of long-term nerve pain for adults with recent-onset shingles.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 228 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (other gov)
• Locations: 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
• Trial ID: NCT07515885 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, multicenter trial will enroll 228 adults with acute herpes zoster and randomly assign them 1:1:1 to electroacupuncture plus antiviral medication, medication alone, or sham acupuncture. Treatment lasts two weeks with outcome assessments at baseline, week 1, week 2, and 90 days after rash onset, and all participants continue antiviral therapy. The study will measure pain scores, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) during a three-month follow-up, and biomarkers to explore predictors of PHN. Results will compare pain reduction, PHN rates, and biomarker associations across the three groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 20–80 with trunk or limb shingles that started less than seven days ago and baseline pain of NRS ≥4 who can attend site visits and consent to treatment.

Not a fit: People with shingles affecting the head, eyes, or internal organs, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, with prior treatments that affect outcomes, allergies to disinfectants, metal implants preventing electroacupuncture, contraindications to pregabalin, or severe uncontrolled illnesses are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide faster pain relief and lower the risk of postherpetic neuralgia while identifying biomarkers that predict who is most at risk.

How similar studies have performed: Previous acupuncture studies have suggested benefits for acute shingles pain, but high-quality evidence specifically for electroacupuncture reducing PHN and for biomarker-based prediction is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for acute HZ27 and skin symptom appears less than 7 days;
2. Only have lesions in the trunk and limbs;

2\. Patients with a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4; 3. Aged between 20 and 80 years; 4. Patients voluntarily participate in the trial and are willing to sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Special types of HZ that occur in head, eyes, viscera, etc. or those combined with other skin diseases;
2. Has received relevant treatment and it may affect the observation indicators;
3. Pregnant and lactating women;
4. Patients who are allergic to iodophor or other topical disinfectants, or a history of sudden, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reactions;
5. Those who are afraid of acupuncture or have metal implants and are not suitable for EA treatment;
6. Those with contraindications to pregabalin such as congestive heart disease and heart failure;
7. Patients with severe primary diseases such as liver, kidney, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, metabolic, autoimmune system diseases, malignant tumors, etc., and those with mental illness;
8. Patients who have hematologic diseases or coagulation disorders;
9. Patients who are currently participating in other clinical studies.

Where this trial is running

Hangzhou, Zhejiang

• the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Dexiong Han, PHD

Conditions: Acute Herpes Zoster