Acupuncture as Treatment of Post-herpetic Neuralgia: A RCT A Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

Odense University Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Treatments: Procedure: Superficial dry needling / Acupunture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03974438

S-20190101

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to perform the first RCT investigating the possible effect of superficial dry-needling (SDN) - a special kind of acupuncture used for PHN. The participants will be divided into two groups. Group A, the intervention group will receive SDN in the area of pain. Group B, the control group will receive a sham procedure.

Full description

The aim of this study is to investigate the possible effect of SDN on PHN. The study population consists of patients with chronic pain after herpes zoster.

The study is a controlled double-blinded randomized study. The participants will be divided into two groups, group A, the intervention group, will receive SDN in the area of pain. Group B, the control group will receive a sham procedure. The procedure will take place at the out-patient clinic at Odense University Hospital. The plan is to include 40 patients (20 in each group).

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 55 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 50-75 years.
• Pain in the dermatomal area of the previous outbreak of HZ.
• Pain located to a dermatome originating from the thoracic or lumbar spine.
• At least six months since the outbreak.
• Understands the purpose of the study and is able to give consent.

Exclusion criteria

• A psychiatric illness affecting participation in the study.
• Active cancer
• Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention - Acupunture (SDN)

Experimental group

Description:

Patients allocated to the intervention arm will receive SDN to the area of skin over the spine on the level of the specific dermatome involved in their chronic pain.

Treatment:

Procedure: Superficial dry needling / Acupunture

Control - Sham acupunture

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Patients allocated to the control arm will receive sham-SDN to the area of skin over the spine on the level of the specific dermatome involved in their chronic pain. The sham procedure consists of a blunted needle, that does not penetrate the skin.

Treatment:

Procedure: Superficial dry needling / Acupunture