Comparison of Manual Acupuncture at Distal Acupoints Versus Electroacupuncture at Local Acupoints in Patients With Acute Neck Pain Due to Cervical Spondylosis (DALA)

School of Medicine - Vietnam National University at Ho Chi Minh city

Status: Completed

Conditions: Degenerative Cervical Spine; Cervical Spondylosis; Acute Neck Pain; Neck Pain Musculoskeletal

Treatments: Procedure: Electroacupuncture at local acupoints; Procedure: Manual acupuncture at distal acupoints

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07240623

3836/QĐ-ĐHYD

IRB No. IRB-VN01002 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial involving two groups: manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture, with 62 participants in each group. All participants received treatment once daily for 10 consecutive days, combined with at least 10 minutes of active cervical spine exercises per session.

Participants were allowed to take one 500 mg tablet of paracetamol if the pain exceeded their tolerance threshold, with a minimum interval of 6 hours between doses and a maximum daily dose of 1,500 mg. The number of tablets taken each day was recorded. No other analgesic interventions were permitted during the study period.

The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of the two interventions in improving pain intensity (VAS score) and limitations of cervical range of motion after each treatment session. In addition, adverse events were monitored and recorded after every intervention.

Enrollment: 124 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Acute onset of neck pain lasting less than 6 weeks.
• Pain intensity ≥ 50 mm on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Presence of limitation in at least one cervical range of motion (ROM).
• Radiographic diagnosis of cervical spondylosis based on Kellgren and Lawrence criteria.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with infection, cachexia, or psychiatric disorders.
• Currently using analgesic medication.
• Cervical movement limitation persisting for more than 6 weeks.
• History of or indication for cervical spine surgery.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

124 participants in 2 patient groups

Manual Acupuncture

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive manual acupuncture at distal acupoints (SI3, SI5, TE4, BL60, BL62, GB40) on the contralateral side of the painful neck area for 25 minutes. During needle retention, patients perform active cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) for at least 10 minutes.

Treatment:

Procedure: Manual acupuncture at distal acupoints

Electroacupuncture

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive electroacupuncture for 25 minutes at local acupoints (GB20-SI15 and GB21-LU7) on the painful side. After needle removal, patients perform active cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) for at least 10 minutes.

Treatment:

Procedure: Electroacupuncture at local acupoints