Acupuncture in Myasthenia Gravis (AcuMG)

NCT05230082 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: A21-197
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect acupuncture treatment on individuals with a diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis (MG). A total of 20 people with MG will be enrolled in this study to receive acupuncture treatment 2 times a week for 12 weeks. Participants will be randomized into two groups: 1) Immediate start and 2) Delayed start (12 weeks). The delayed start group will act as a control group for the first 12 weeks, but then receive acupuncture treatment for 12 weeks. It is hypothesized that patients with MG who receive acupuncture treatment will have improved quality of life and activities of daily living compared to no treatment.

Conditions

Myasthenia Gravis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• To Determine the Effect of Acupuncture on Quality of Life in Patients With MG

  A brief 15-item disease specific questionnaire. Myasthenia gravis-quality of life 15 (MG-QOL15). A higher score indicates a lower quality of life.\[range: 0-30\]

  pre-acupuncture treatment and post-acupuncture treatment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• To Determine the Effect of Acupuncture on Activities of Daily Living in Patients With MG

  pre-acupuncture treatment and post-acupuncture treatment

Study Arms (2)

Immediate Start

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will receive acupuncture treatment two times per week for 12 weeks.

Other: Acupuncture

Delayed start

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients will act as control group for the first 12 weeks then will receive acupuncture treatment two times per week for 12 weeks.

Other: Acupuncture

Interventions

Acupuncture OTHER

Acupuncture treatments will be separated by a minimum of two days and a maximum of 14 days. Treatment sessions will be identical for both groups. Standard, sterile stainless-steel, disposable needles will be inserted at acupuncture points with a total of 18 needles for each treatment session. The depth of the needle will be approximately 10-20 millimeters. Needles will be left in place for 30 minutes.

Delayed start; Immediate Start

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Ability to provide and provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• Age 18-80
• Diagnosis of MG

You may not qualify if:

• Non-English speaking
• Participation in acupuncture treatment outside of the study, while enrolled
• History of any other serious neurological, psychiatric, chronic pain disorders, or seizures
• History of bleeding diathesis, other bleeding disorders, or syncope with needle puncture
• History of cardiac arrhythmia or current pacemaker, neurostimulator, or other implanted stimulation device
• Recent or active substance use disorder
• Women who are currently pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during the study
• Any other medical conditions that could affect their ability to participate in acupuncture treatments for the study duration (as determined by study investigators)
• Active participation or past participation ≤3 months in any other interventional study.
• Unwilling to participate in all study related activities

Sponsors & Collaborators

• HealthPartners Institute: lead

Study Sites (1)

HealthPartners Neuroscience Center

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55130, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myasthenia Gravis

Interventions

Acupuncture Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System; Nervous System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuromuscular Junction Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Amanda Herrmann, PhD
• Organization: HealthPartners Institute Neuroscience Research Center

Amanda.A.Herrmann@HealthPartners.com

651-495-6363

Study Officials

• Amanda A Herrmann, PhD

  HealthPartners Neuroscience Research

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Gaurav K Guliani, MD

  HealthPartners Neurology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 28, 2022
• First Posted: February 8, 2022
• Study Start: May 25, 2022
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2024
• Study Completion: April 30, 2024
• Last Updated: September 18, 2025
• Results First Posted: September 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)