Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Uremic Pruritus (NCT06875115) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Uremic Pruritus
Taiwan60 participantsStarted 2024-04-09
Plain-language summary
Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=30) receiving laser acupuncture or the control group (n=30) receiving sham laser acupuncture. Treatment sessions were conducted during dialysis sessions. The experimental group received laser acupuncture at Xuehai, Quchi, and Bai Chongwo acupoints three times per week for four weeks. The control group received sham laser acupuncture at the same acupoints. The 5-D Pruritus Scale and DLQI were used to assess pruritus severity before and after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 90 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:
* Age ≥ 20 years.
* Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels \< 68 pg/mL (patients with -thyroidectomy excluded).
* Urea nitrogen (BUN) clearance rate (Kt/V) ≥ 1.2 at each dialysis session.
* Serum phosphate levels \< 5.5 mg/dL.
* Receiving hemodialysis three times weekly for at least three consecutive months.
* No history of acute illnesses like infections or cardiovascular disease.
* Avoiding a high-phosphorus diet.
* Adjusting dialysate calcium concentration to 8.6-10 mg/dL.
* Replacing the artificial kidney or increasing dialysis blood flow
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant or nursing.
* History of photosensitivity.
* Recent use of systemic or local medications for pruritus (e.g., immunosuppressants, opioid agonists/antagonists, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, ultraviolet B therapy).
* Hepatobiliary dysfunction based on medical history and liver function tests.
* Malignancies.
* Other itchy skin conditions diagnosed by a dermatologist.
* Wounds near acupuncture points, contraindicating laser acupuncture
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
1
Title: Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Ureimc Pruritus
Timeframe: A 4-week timeframe from enrollment to treatment completion.