Exploring the Distribution Patterns and Infrared Characteristics of Force-sensitive Acupoints in Different Lumbar Nerve Segments in Patients With LDH Based on "Press Quickly" Theory

NCT06318156 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ZSLL-KY-2024-056-03
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 160
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Utilizing the "responsive acupoint palpation" technique and infrared thermography, we investigated the distribution patterns of pressure-sensitive acupoints across different lumbar spinal segments in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methodology: The Finger TPS tactile pressure measurement system was employed to conduct sensitivity examinations on the acupoints of the L1\~L5 lumbar spine in 80 LDH patients (Group 1) and 80 healthy individuals (Group 2), applying a standardized force of 60N. When a sensation of comfort was elicited, the points were marked on a human cutaneous nerve segment map. We then utilized infrared thermography to collect and compare the temperature differences of the top 10 most frequently responsive acupoint areas in the experimental group against those in the control group.

Conditions

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Keywords

Lumbar Disc Herniation; Press quickly; Point-press method; Pressure-sensitive acupoints; Infrared thermal imaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• skin temperature

  The medical infrared thermographic camera captures thermal images of the human cutaneous nerve segment map on the back of the subjects, focusing on the L1 to L5 spinal segment areas.

  up to one month

Study Arms (2)

Group1(lumbar disc herniation)

EXPERIMENTAL

A well-trained physician donned the Finger TPS tactile pressure measurement system (Finger TPS II, BTLETG03, USA), methodically applying a consistent 60N force with a single thumb vertically downward on the acupoints of the L1 to L5 spinal segments, in accordance with the human cutaneous nerve segment map. Additionally, environmental conditions were meticulously controlled-temperature maintained between 20°C to 25°C, relative humidity at 50% to 60%, with gentle indoor lighting, quiet, and stable airflow. The MESH T-1000 Smart medical infrared thermograph, produced by Wuhan Gewu Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., was utilized to assess the surface temperature of the patient's pressure-sensitive acupoint areas.

Diagnostic Test: Infrared thermal imaging

Group2 (healthy control)

EXPERIMENTAL

A well-trained physician donned the Finger TPS tactile pressure measurement system (Finger TPS II, BTLETG03, USA), methodically applying a consistent 60N force with a single thumb vertically downward on the acupoints of the L1 to L5 spinal segments, in accordance with the human cutaneous nerve segment map. Additionally, environmental conditions were meticulously controlled-temperature maintained between 20°C to 25°C, relative humidity at 50% to 60%, with gentle indoor lighting, quiet, and stable airflow. The MESH T-1000 Smart medical infrared thermograph, produced by Wuhan Gewu Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., was utilized to assess the surface temperature of the patient's pressure-sensitive acupoint areas.

Diagnostic Test: Infrared thermal imaging

Interventions

Infrared thermal imaging DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A well-trained physician donned the Finger TPS tactile pressure measurement system (Finger TPS II, BTLETG03, USA), methodically applying a consistent 60N force with a single thumb vertically downward on the acupoints of the L1 to L5 spinal segments, in accordance with the human cutaneous nerve segment map. Additionally, environmental conditions were meticulously controlled-temperature maintained between 20°C to 25°C, relative humidity at 50% to 60%, with gentle indoor lighting, quiet, and stable airflow. The MESH T-1000 Smart medical infrared thermograph, produced by Wuhan Gewu Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., was utilized to assess the surface temperature of the patient's pressure-sensitive acupoint areas.

Group1(lumbar disc herniation); Group2 (healthy control)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age range of 18 to 65 years, regardless of gender.
• Radiological confirmation of central type L4\~L5 intervertebral disc herniation.
• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for lumbar disc herniation, primarily manifesting as lower back pain, radicular pain, and numbness or weakness in the lower limbs, with imaging findings consistent with neurological localization.
• Patients in the non-acute phase of mild to moderate pain and functional impairment (onset more than 2 weeks ago), with a visual analog scale (VAS) score greater than 4 points and a Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score less than 15 points.
• No consumption of analgesics, neurotrophic drugs, or sedatives, and no systemic treatment in the past week.
• Willing participants in the study who have signed an informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Concomitant internist and gynecological diseases that can cause lower back pain, such as nephritis, urinary tract stones, gynecological inflammations, and uterine pathologies.
• Individuals with severe primary diseases of the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, liver, kidney, etc.
• Patients with neurosis or psychiatric disorders, or those with a history of cranial trauma or coma.
• Patients with primary or ankylosing sciatica.
• Individuals with concomitant lumbar spondylolisthesis.
• Patients with lumbar spine tumors or tuberculosis.
• Individuals with consciousness disorders, severe impairments in vision, hearing, or speech, or any other condition that prevents the completion of a health assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Zhou Xingchen: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intervertebral Disc Displacement

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Hernia; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Li-Jiang Lv, Ph.D.

  The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang,China

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SCREENING
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2024
• First Posted: March 19, 2024
• Study Start: January 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2025
• Study Completion: January 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)