Auricular Acupressure Combined With Adapalene for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

NCT07348978 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2464-DHYD-HDDD
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that can significantly affect quality of life. Standard treatments such as topical retinoids are effective but may not fully control symptoms in all patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of auricular acupressure combined with topical 0.1% adapalene compared with topical 0.1% adapalene alone in patients with acne vulgaris. Auricular acupressure is a non-invasive traditional medicine technique that may help regulate inflammatory responses and improve skin conditions. The objective of this study was to determine whether the combination therapy provides greater improvement in acne severity and clinical outcomes than standard topical treatment alone.

Conditions

Acne Vulgaris

Keywords

Auricular Acupressure; Adapalene; Acne Treatment; Traditional Medicine; Complementary Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score

  The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess acne severity. The total GAGS score was calculated at baseline and at the end of treatment. The primary outcome was the change in GAGS score from baseline to the end of treatment, and comparisons were made between the two study groups.

  From baseline to week 4

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesion counts

  From baseline to week 4

• Change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score

  From baseline to week 4

• Incidence of treatment-related adverse events

  During the 4-week treatment period

Study Arms (2)

Auricular Acupressure Plus Adapalene

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received auricular acupressure combined with topical 0.1% adapalene.

Other: Auricular Acupressure; Drug: Adapalene 0.1% Gel

Active Comparator

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received topical 0.1% adapalene alone.

Drug: Adapalene 0.1% Gel

Interventions

Auricular Acupressure OTHER

Auricular acupressure was performed by applying pressure to specific auricular points according to traditional medicine principles. The intervention was administered as an adjunctive therapy in combination with topical adapalene.

Also known as: Ear Acupressure

Auricular Acupressure Plus Adapalene

Adapalene 0.1% Gel DRUG

Topical adapalene 0.1% was applied to affected areas once daily as standard treatment for acne vulgaris.

Active Comparator; Auricular Acupressure Plus Adapalene

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female patients aged 18 to 35 years.
• Clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate acne vulgaris based on the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS).
• Willingness to comply with the study protocol and attend all scheduled visits.
• Provided written informed consent prior to participation.

You may not qualify if:

• Severe acne vulgaris requiring systemic treatment.
• Use of systemic acne treatments (such as isotretinoin, antibiotics, or hormonal therapy) within the past 4 weeks.
• Use of topical acne treatments within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Presence of other dermatological conditions that may interfere with evaluation.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to adapalene or components of the intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City: lead

Study Sites (1)

Le Van Thinh Hospital

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acne Vulgaris

Interventions

Adapalene; Gels

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Acneiform Eruptions; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Sebaceous Gland Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Naphthalenes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons; Organic Chemicals; Polycyclic Compounds; Colloids; Complex Mixtures; Dosage Forms; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Study Officials

• Bay Thi Nguyen, PhD

  University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Huy Chung Ly

  University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Doctor

Model Details: Participants were assigned to one of two parallel groups according to the study protocol.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Posted: January 16, 2026
• Study Start: November 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: November 10, 2025
• Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

VN (1)