Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Efficacy of Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) for Neck Pain in Cervical Spondylosis

Vietnam130 participantsStarted 2025-09-01

Plain-language summary

Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disorder of the cervical spine that often leads to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and reduced daily functioning. Pain management in these patients remains challenging, and acupuncture is widely used as a non-pharmacological treatment option. However, the additional benefit of stimulating the Lieque (LU7) acupoint, based on the Six Command Points theory, has not been fully established. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether acupuncture at Lieque (LU7), combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points, provides greater pain relief compared to electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points alone. A total of 130 participants with cervical spondylosis will be randomly assigned to two groups. Treatments will be delivered over 20 days. The primary outcome is the change in neck pain intensity, measured by a 0-100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), from baseline to the end of treatment. The findings will provide clinical evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) for reducing neck pain and improving patient outcomes in cervical spondylosis.

Who can participate

Age range

40 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 40 years or older * Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis based on clinical evaluation and imaging. * Presence of cervical spine syndrome, including: * Neck and shoulder pain. * Limited range of motion in the cervical spine. * Local tenderness over the cervical spine or paraspinal region corresponding to nerve roots. * Radiographic evidence of cervical spondylosis on standard X-ray (frontal, lateral, or oblique views), showing one or more of the following: * Subchondral sclerosis. * Narrowing of the intervertebral disc space. * Osteophyte formation (bone spurs, bridging osteophytes). * Patients receiving treatment at Thu Duc City Hospital Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who do not agree to participate in the study. * Acute torticollis, cervical disc herniation, spinal deformity, cervical spine trauma, or spinal tumors. * Neck and shoulder pain not caused by cervical spondylosis. * History of systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe cardiovascular disease, systemic infection, malignancy, or immunodeficiency disorders. * History of neurological or psychiatric conditions that impair communication or compliance, including speech disorders, impaired consciousness, psychosis, or dementia. * Contraindications to electroacupuncture. * Non-compliance with study treatment protocol. * Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within the past 10 days or local corticosteroid injection within the past 3 months.

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

Change in Neck Pain Intensity (VAS Score)

Timeframe: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07151404

SponsorNguyen Ngoc Doan Thuy

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-01

Contact for this trial

Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc

+84-918-949-394 nndthuy@uhsvnu.edu.vn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cervical Spondylosis trials