Motion-style acupuncture (MSAT) for shoulder pain after traffic accidents
The Efficacy and Safety of Shoulder Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment (MSAT) on in Patients With Shoulder Pain Caused by Traffic Accidents: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial will test whether adding motion-style acupuncture (MSAT) to standard Korean medicine care helps adults hospitalized with acute shoulder pain from traffic accidents reduce pain and improve shoulder movement.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 98 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Jaseng Medical Foundation Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Busan, Haeundae) |
| Trial ID | NCT07187336 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial enrolling 98 inpatients with acute shoulder pain within 5 days of a traffic accident. Participants are randomized to receive integrative Korean medicine alone (acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, Chuna) or the same care plus MSAT. MSAT involves inserting needles around the shoulder while the practitioner assists or guides gentle joint movement and is given once daily for three sessions during hospitalization (days 2–4) in addition to standard treatments. Outcomes include pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, functional status, quality of life, patient global impression, and monitoring of adverse events.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 19–70 who are hospitalized within 5 days after a traffic accident with acute shoulder pain rated ≥5/10 and observable movement limitation who can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with fractures, dislocations, major neurologic deficits, active infection, bleeding disorders, recent shoulder surgery, chronic conditions that interfere with assessment, or on contraindicated medications are unlikely to benefit from MSAT in this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding MSAT could speed pain relief, increase shoulder range of motion, and improve daily function after accident-related shoulder injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Movement-assisted acupuncture techniques including MSAT have shown promising results in some musculoskeletal pain reports, but high-quality randomized evidence specifically for acute post-traffic-accident shoulder pain is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 19 to 70 years Hospitalized with shoulder pain within 5 days after a traffic accident Shoulder pain intensity ≥ 5 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with observed limitation of movement Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Serious conditions causing shoulder pain (e.g., malignant tumor, infection) Progressive or severe neurological deficits Recent shoulder surgery or procedure within 3 weeks Shoulder pain mainly due to non-shoulder disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout) Contraindications to MSAT (e.g., fracture, dislocation, ligament rupture or instability, severe inflammation) Chronic diseases interfering with assessment (e.g., cardiovascular disease, renal disease, diabetic neuropathy, dementia, epilepsy) Current use of steroids, immunosuppressants, psychiatric drugs, or other medications that may affect results Contraindications to acupuncture (e.g., bleeding disorders, anticoagulant use, severe diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease) Pregnant or planning pregnancy Severe psychiatric illness Participation in another interventional clinical trial Unable to provide informed consent Any other condition deemed inappropriate by the investigator
Where this trial is running
Busan, Haeundae
- Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine — Busan, Haeundae, South Korea (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: In-Hyuk Ha, phD — Jaseng Medical Foundation
- Study coordinator: In-Hyuk Ha, phD
- Email: hanitata@jaseng.co.kr
- Phone: 02-2222-2740
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.