Electroacupuncture with vacuum cupping for shoulder tendinitis

Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture Combined With Cupping Therapy in Patients With Shoulder Tendinitis and qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome

This study will test whether adding vacuum cupping to electroacupuncture reduces pain and improves shoulder movement in adults (18–70) with rotator cuff or long-head-of-biceps tendinitis and moderate pain.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 54 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Ho Chi Minh City and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07545785 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–70 with clinical and ultrasound evidence of rotator cuff or long-head-of-biceps tendinitis, VAS pain between 4 and 7, no passive ROM limitation or motor weakness, and a TCM diagnosis of Qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Not a fit: Patients with frozen shoulder, pseudo-paralysis, acute calcific periarthritis, significant motor weakness, pain outside the 4–7 VAS range, or shoulder pain from other causes are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, combining vacuum cupping with electroacupuncture could reduce shoulder pain and improve range of motion, offering a non-drug option to help daily activities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies suggest acupuncture and cupping can help musculoskeletal shoulder pain, but evidence for the specific combination of electroacupuncture plus vacuum cupping in shoulder tendinitis is limited.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Ho Chi Minh City and 1 other locations

• Le Van Thinh Hospital — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Recruiting)
• Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: HUY HOANG LAM, Doctor

Conditions Shoulder Tendinopathy; Shoulder Tendinitis; shoulder tendinopathy; Rotator cuff tendinitis; Long head of the biceps tendonitis