Evaluating acupuncture for hand osteoarthritis

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 multicentered, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in improving symptoms of hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Given the limited treatment options for HOA, the study seeks to explore acupuncture's potential benefits, drawing on its established effectiveness for knee osteoarthritis. Participants will receive either real acupuncture or sham acupuncture, with outcomes measured through pain intensity and joint function. The study will include individuals diagnosed with HOA who have experienced pain for at least three months.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed as hand OA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical classification criteria
* History of hand OA for at least 3 months before enrollment and history of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat hand OA
* Aged 18-80 years
* At least 40 mm in visual analog scale (VAS) on the average pain intensity of the dominant hand over the last 48 hours (patients applying NSAIDs at the screening have to have an increase in pain in the dominant hand of ≥ 20 mm after 1-week washout)
* Posterior-anterior radiographs of the dominant hand shows Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1, 2, or 3 changes in symptomatic joints
* Negative results in both rheumatoid factor and anticyclonic citrullinated peptide
* Able to comply with the study protocol and understand the medical information forms
* Voluntarily sign the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* History or current evidence of secondary OA (due to causes other than a solely degenerative joint disease) or symptomatic OA at additional locations besides the hand(s) requiring treatment, or any painful syndrome of the upper limb which may interfere with evaluation of hand pain;
* History of inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis), hemochromatosis, metabolic, or neuropathic arthropathies;
* History of trauma, dislocation or operation to the hand or arm in the previous 3 months;
* Hand pain and stiffness due to tissue scarring or tendinitis;
* Skin damage or serious skin disorders in the hands;
* Intake of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, vascular or narcotics during the 10 days prior to beginning the study;
* Oral, intramuscular, intra-articular or intravenous corticosteroids, or hyaluronic acid injection within 3 months preceding enrollment;
* Serious uncontrolled medical conditions such as cancer, uncontrolled cardiovascular disorder, severe hepatic/renal insufficiency or coagulation disorder;
* Known phobic to acupuncture or received acupuncture treatment within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.

Where it's running

• Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital
  Beijing, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Weiming Wang, Ph.D — Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
• Study coordinator: Weiming Wang, Ph.D
• Email: wangweiming1a1@163.com
• Phone: +8613426424993

Similar studies

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

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• Using metformin to treat hand osteoarthritis symptoms

  This study is testing if metformin can help people with hand osteoarthritis feel less pain and improve their symptoms over 16 weeks.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Frederiksberg University Hospital · Copenhagen, Frederiksberg · NCT06367283

• Identifying early symptoms of hand osteoarthritis

  This study is trying to find early signs of hand osteoarthritis in people under 60 using advanced imaging to help identify those at risk for worsening symptoms.

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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.