Electroacupuncture for acute shingles pain and biomarker testing

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 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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Dexiong Han, PHD
• Email: 20105015@zcmu.edu.cn
• Phone: 86+18958077903

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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.