NCT05871658

Brief Summary

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain is a common complication in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which seriously affects the quality of life of NMOSD patients, with no satisfactory treatment. Through the previous literature study and clinical observation, we found that acupuncture has good curative effect in the treatment of pain, especially electric acupuncture, but thestudies on acupuncture intervention in pain of NMOSD are still scare. Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture on NMOSD patients with pain. Materials and Methods In this exploratory randomized controlled study, NMOSD patients with pain were recruited from March 21, 2022 to February 21, 2023. Patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture group (experimental group) and the sham electroacupuncture group (control group) by simple random method (envelope method) according to the inclusion order. Totally, there are 20 patients enrolled. The experimental group received electroacupuncture therapy and the control group received sham electroacupuncture therapy. A total of 8 sessions were given twice a week for 30 minutes each. On the baseline, demographic information, medication history, specimens of routine blood, blood biochemistry, liver function, IL - 6, TNF-α were collected, the brain, cervical and thoracic MRI were perfected and collected, patients filled in the SF - MPQ, NRS, SF - 36, SAS, SDS, EDSS. After the treatment, specimens of routine blood, blood biochemistry, liver function, IL - 6, TNF-α were collected again, patients filled in the SF - MPQ, NRS, SF - 36, SAS, SD, EDSS. The main outcome indicators were SF-MPQ, and the secondary outcome indicators were EDSS, NRS, SAS, SDS, SF-36, IL-6, and TNF-α. Conclusion This is the first exploratory randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture on pain in patients with NMOSD. The study will provide clincial evidence of the practice of electroacupuncture on NMOSD with pain. Key Words neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders; pain; electroacupuncture

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
20

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2022

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 21, 2022

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 21, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 21, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 20, 2023

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 23, 2023

Completed
Last Updated

May 23, 2023

Status Verified

May 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

11 months

First QC Date

April 20, 2023

Last Update Submit

May 20, 2023

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Short-Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF - MPQ)

    higher scores mean a worse outcome.

    on the baseline

  • Short-Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF - MPQ)

    higher scores mean a worse outcome.

    through study completion, an average of 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (14)

  • Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS)

    on the baseline

  • Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS)

    through study completion, an average of 1 month

  • numerical rating scale(NRS)

    on the baseline

  • numerical rating scale(NRS)

    through study completion, an average of 1 month

  • Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)

    on the baseline

  • +9 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

the electroacupuncture group

EXPERIMENTAL

electroacupuncture were inserted into bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4) and Quchi (LI11), and Yintang (EX-HN3). Electroacupuncture parameters selected the sparse wave, the frequency was 4 Hz, the stimulation intensity was tolerated by the patient.

Behavioral: electroacupuncture

the sham electroacupuncture group

SHAM COMPARATOR

According to the previous trial,\[19\] sham acupoints were 1cm away from the level of the acupoints used in the EA group, which avoided the area corresponding to any of the 14 meridians of TCM. The insertion of the needle was shallower (less than 0.2cm) and had similar pain to that of normal needle insertion. The stimulation intensity was 0mA. However, the model of electroacupuncture, the frequency, and duration of treatment in the SEA group were identical in the TA group.

Behavioral: electroacupuncture

Interventions

electroacupuncture were inserted into bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4) and Quchi (LI11), and Yintang (EX-HN3). Electroacupuncture parameters selected the sparse wave, the frequency was 4 Hz, the stimulation intensity was tolerated by the patient.

the electroacupuncture groupthe sham electroacupuncture group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 80 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • people diagnosed as NMOSD according to the International Panel for NMO Diagnosis (IPND) criteria.\[21\]
  • NRS≥4.
  • people were treated with stable doses of biological therapy and/or prednisone, with no regimen adjustment within 30 days prior to enrollment.
  • people did not adjust any standard pain medication combinations, including antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants, and opioids, within 30 days before enrollment.
  • people or their families provided written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • people enrolled in other clinical studies.
  • people with low cognitive or mental ability.
  • people who became pregnant during the study period, breastfed, or planned to become pregnant.
  • people with serious diseases related to the heart, liver, kidney or hematopoietic system.
  • people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuromyelitis OpticaPain

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Myelitis, TransverseDemyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNSAutoimmune Diseases of the Nervous SystemNervous System DiseasesOptic NeuritisOptic Nerve DiseasesCranial Nerve DiseasesDemyelinating DiseasesEye DiseasesAutoimmune DiseasesImmune System DiseasesNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Combined Modality TherapyTherapeuticsAcupuncture TherapyComplementary TherapiesElectric Stimulation TherapyPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationTranscutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationAnalgesiaAnesthesia and AnalgesiaAnesthesia

Study Officials

  • Zhao yuan qi, Dr

    Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: the electroacupuncture group (experimental group) and the sham electroacupuncture group (control group)
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
director

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 20, 2023

First Posted

May 23, 2023

Study Start

March 21, 2022

Primary Completion

February 21, 2023

Study Completion

February 21, 2023

Last Updated

May 23, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Locations