Bladder Meridian Gua Sha for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Efficacy and CRP Regulation Via Cutaneous-Me… (NCT07754422) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Bladder Meridian Gua Sha for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Efficacy and CRP Regulation Via Cutaneous-Meridian-Visceral Axis in Shen Period
China128 participantsStarted 2023-01-17
Plain-language summary
Based on the "Cutaneous Region-Meridian-Visceral" axis theory, in this study, we investigated clinical efficacy of the Gua Sha intervention on the Bladder Meridian during the Shen Period (3:00-5:00 p.m.) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and its regulatory effect on serum C-reactive protein (CRP).This randomized controlled study enrolled 128patients with LDH admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation at Guangdong Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between January 2023 and December 2024. They were randomly assigned to a control group (n=64) and an observation group (n=64). The control group consisted of standard treatment and care according to the diagnostic and treatment guidelines for LDH. The observation group consisted of standard treatment and care supplemented with Gua Sha on the Bladder Meridian during the Shen Period. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, changes in CRP levels, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) efficacy evaluations were assessed for both groups before the intervention and at 2-week and 4-week after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for LDH according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
* Stable vital signs and absence of severe complications, including concomitant severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hepatic, renal, or hematological diseases
* Patients able to cooperate with the entire course of treatment and sign an informed consent form
* Patients unsuitable for surgery and experiencing recurrent episodes following treatment
Exclusion Criteria：
* Participants unable to continue treatment
* Participants developing other serious illnesses during the trial
* Participants whose symptoms worsen to the point that emergency measures are required
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
Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) Score
Timeframe: * "Baseline" * "The second week after intervention" * ''The fourth week after intervention''
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07754422
SponsorGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine