Treatment for facial pain from shingles using needling and electroacupuncture
A Randomized Controlled Study on the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia in the Head and Face With Superficial Needling Combined With Electroacupuncture
This study is testing if a combination of needling and electroacupuncture can help people aged 50-80 with facial pain from shingles feel better compared to a common medication.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 124 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Government |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) |
| Trial ID | NCT06420778 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of superficial needling combined with electroacupuncture for treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the head and face. Patients aged 50-80 with a history of herpes zoster in these areas will be randomly assigned to receive either the experimental treatment or oral pregabalin as a control. The study will assess pain reduction and improvements in mood, sleep quality, and overall quality of life using various evaluation scales. Additionally, infrared thermography will be utilized to objectively measure treatment efficacy and correlate it with clinical symptoms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 50-80 who have experienced herpes zoster on the head and face and have persistent neuralgia for at least one month.
Not a fit: Patients with herpes zoster in areas other than the head and face or those with specific types of herpes zoster may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new, effective option for managing chronic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia.
How similar studies have performed: While the combination of needling and electroacupuncture is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promising results in pain management, suggesting potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Meet the diagnostic criteria in the 2016 Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia; Age 50-80 years (including telangiectasia), gender is not limited; Have a history of herpes zoster on the head and face, and the lesions on the head and face have been healed and subsided, and the symptoms of neuralgia lasted ≥1 month after lesions were healed, with baseline scores of ≥4 on the Facial Pain Profile, and abnormal sensation of the skin around the lesions, pain sensitivity; Be conscious and have a clear sense of pain and discriminative ability; Sign the informed consent to participate in this study voluntarily. Only those who satisfy the above 5 items at the same time can be included in this study. Exclusion Criteria: those who did not meet the above diagnostic criteria; herpes zoster occurring in the perineum, or special types such as visceral herpes zoster, meningeal herpes zoster, and generalized herpes zoster; those who were taking oral pregabalin at a dose of less than 0.2 g or more than 0.6 g per day before inclusion to relieve analgesia; those who had a serious adverse reaction to pregabalin, were allergic to acupuncture, or belonged to patients who were within the range of contraindications to electro-acupuncture; Combined with severe cardiac, hepatic, renal damage, epilepsy, head injury, or cognitive dysfunction, aphasia, psychiatric disorders, and other major diseases, who are unable to cooperate with the treatment; Combined with poorly controlled hypertension and diabetes mellitus patients; Pregnant or breastfeeding patients;8.Patients who are currently participating in other studies, and who have been enrolled in other clinical trials within the last 3 months. Anyone who meets any of these criteria will be excluded.
Where this trial is running
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Xiaoyu Li — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Xiaoyu Li
- Email: 673426608@qq.com
- Phone: +8618758240921
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.