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Acupuncture for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

China420 participantsStarted 2023-11-14

Plain-language summary

The clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in alleviating neurogenic claudication symptoms among patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Meet the diagnosis criteria of LSS;
. Aged between 50-80 years;
. Neurogenic claudication (NC) for more than 3 months;
. Able to walk for at least 20 meters continually without device assistance, and forced to stopped walking out of NC within 30 mins in the meanwhile;
. The average pain of buttocks and/or legs scores≥4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) when walking, standing, or extending the back in the past week;
. More severe pain in the buttock and/or leg than in the lower back;
. Score at least 7 on Modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire（RMDQ）;
. Central sagittal diameter stenosis of lumbar spinal canal as manifested by MRI or CT scan;

Exclusion criteria

. Non-degenerative LSS, such as congenital, post-traumatic or spondylolisthesis LSS; operation indications, such as segmental muscular atrophy, bowel and bladder disfunction, and spinal instability; tuberculosis or tumor in the lumbar area; or multiple vertebral compression fracture or compression fracture in the segment of stenosis;

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

The proportion of participants who achieves at least 30% improvement in total walking distance from baseline.

Timeframe: Weeks 6 and 18

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06102798

SponsorGuang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-09-30

Contact for this trial

Zhishun Liu, PhD

86-010-88002331 zhishunjournal@163.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Lumbar Spinal Stenosis trials