High-frequency electroacupuncture at neck points plus magnetic field therapy for nerve root neck pain

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 is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study enrolling 104 adults with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either high-frequency electroacupuncture at cervical Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B2) points plus pulsed electromagnetic field therapy or high-frequency electroacupuncture at conventional acupuncture points plus the same PEMF therapy. Treatments are given daily from Monday to Friday for two weeks, with each session lasting about 20 minutes. Licensed traditional medicine physicians perform all procedures following a standardized protocol. The goal is to determine if the targeted neck-point approach provides greater symptom relief and functional improvement than conventional point selection when combined with PEMF therapy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent to participate in the study.
* Male or female patients aged 30 years or older.
* Inpatients or outpatients diagnosed with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy caused by cervical spondylosis at Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine.
* Clinical diagnosis of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, including:
* Neck pain radiating to the shoulder and/or upper extremity.
* Sensory disturbance and/or motor deficit and/or abnormal deep tendon reflexes consistent with the affected cervical nerve root.
* At least one positive provocative test (Spurling test, cervical percussion/compression test, cervical distraction test, or shoulder abduction relief test).
* Pain intensity of at least 3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
* Clinical evidence of cervical spine syndrome.
* Cervical spine X-ray demonstrating at least one degenerative finding (osteophytes, intervertebral disc space narrowing, or subchondral sclerosis).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cervical radiculopathy caused by conditions other than cervical spondylosis.
* Cervical myelopathy or other spinal cord disorders requiring surgical intervention.
* Severe systemic illness, frailty, or medical conditions requiring intensive care, or suspected malignancy indicated by unexplained fever, unexplained weight loss, immunodeficiency, or cancer.
* Contraindications to acupuncture, including skin infection or ulceration at the acupuncture site, allergy to acupuncture needles, severe needle phobia, or psychiatric disorders preventing cooperation.
* Current treatment with strong analgesics (including paracetamol/codeine combinations, tramadol, or strong opioids) or other therapies that may interfere with study outcomes.
* Implanted cardiac pacemakers or other implanted electronic medical devices (e.g., neurostimulators, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, or insulin pumps).
* Bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases affecting coagulation.
* Benign or malignant tumors involving the treatment area or systemic malignancy.
* Participation in another interventional clinical trial.
* Inability to communicate effectively in Vietnamese.
* Pregnant women or women with suspected pregnancy.

Where it's running

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Recruiting

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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.