Electroacupuncture with vacuum cupping for shoulder tendinitis

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 diagnosed with shoulder periarthritis (rotator cuff and/or long head of biceps tendinitis) and the traditional Chinese medicine pattern of Qi stagnation and blood stasis will receive electroacupuncture either alone or combined with vacuum cupping. Treatments are delivered in person at two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and outcomes include pain intensity (VAS), shoulder function, and mobility. Eligible participants have moderate pain (VAS 4–7), specific tender points and ultrasound findings, and no passive range-of-motion limitation or motor weakness. The trial tests whether the combined non-drug approach gives better symptom relief than electroacupuncture alone.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients between 18 and 70 years old.
* Pain intensity score on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) between 4 and 7.
* Diagnosis of rotator cuff and/or long head of the biceps tendonitis according to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam.
* Mechanical pain that increases during movements such as abduction or raising the arm.
* Presence of tender points at the long head of the biceps tendon or supraspinatus tendon .
* Pain that increases during resisted contraction tests, such as the Jobe test or Palm-up test.
* Absence of limitation in the passive range of motion of the shoulder.
* Ultrasound findings showing a hypoechoic tendon or evidence of calcification.
* Absence of motor weakness or paralysis.
* Diagnosis of the TCM syndrome "Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis"

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who do not agree to participate in the study.
* Diagnosis of pseudo-paralysis, acute calcific periarthritis, or frozen shoulder.
* Shoulder pain caused by cervical nerve root lesions.
* Shoulder pain originating from apical lung tumors, coronary artery disease, or myocardial infarction.
* Specific joint lesions caused by infection, tuberculosis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
* Bone pathologies including fractures, dislocations, or osteonecrosis of the humeral head.
* Shoulder dysfunction resulting from stroke or hemiplegia.
* Women who are pregnant.
* Patients with mental illness.
* Contraindications for vacuum cupping, such as acute skin inflammation, open wounds, or alcohol consumption.
* Contraindications for electroacupuncture, including cardiac pacemakers, heart failure, or local skin ulcers.
* Current participation in another intervention study.
* Use of painkillers, muscle relaxants, or within the last week.
* Use of anticoagulants or a history of hemophilia.

Where it's running

• Le Van Thinh Hospital
  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Recruiting
• Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital
  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: HUY HOANG LAM, Doctor
• Email: huymhd159@gmail.com
• Phone: + 84 933 - 887 - 373

Similar studies

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

• Attention-shift exercise program for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain

  This will test whether doing shoulder exercises while also performing attention-shifting movements reduces pain and improves function for people with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

  Recruiting Istanbul University · Istanbul · NCT07546084

• Evaluating how nutrition affects treatment outcomes for shoulder tendinopathy

  This study is trying to see how nutrition affects the success of a treatment for shoulder tendinopathy using platelet-rich growth factors in people with different body weights.

  Recruiting I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio · Milan · NCT06536582

• Comparing hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections for shoulder tendinitis

  This study is testing whether adding hyaluronic acid injections to corticosteroid injections can help people with shoulder tendinitis feel less pain compared to just using corticosteroids alone.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 3 Centre Hospitalier Departemental Vendee · La Roche-sur-Yon and 1 other locations · NCT06376981

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.