Effectiveness of Warm Acupuncture in Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Status

Not yet enrolling

Conditions

Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN )

Treatments

Other: Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin

Drug: Gabapentin

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06893172

1705/DHYD-HDDD

Details and patient eligibility

About

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common clinical complication of herpes zoster. PHN can persist for months to years, and in some cases, the pain may last for more than five years. Patients suffering from severe, prolonged pain endure significant distress, which seriously affects their quality of life and daily activities. Moreover, PHN can lead to insomnia, anxiety, depression, or even suicide. Currently, the treatment of PHN primarily focuses on pain management. First-line treatment options include gabapentin, pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, and 5% lidocaine patches.

Acupuncture is a widely used non-pharmacological therapy. A large number of clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating various neuropathic pain conditions, including PHN. Acupuncture not only reduces pain perception but also alleviates anxiety and improves the quality of life for PHN patients. Among different acupuncture techniques, Warm Acupuncture (WA) is considered the most effective for treating peripheral neuropathic pain. Clinical case reports have also shown its pain-relieving effects in PHN patients.

However, there has been no study in Vietnam on the effectiveness of WA in pain reduction for patients with PHN. Therefore, this study is conducted to evaluate whether WA is effective in reducing pain and ensuring safety for treating PHN patients with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis syndrome. The findings will serve as a basis for the broader application of WA in the treatment of PHN.

Full description

Patients with Postherpetic neuralgia in the trunk area, belonging to the Blood Stasis syndrome. They will be treated with a combination of Warm Acupuncture and Gabapentin.

The intervention period is four weeks. Warm Acupuncture will be performed five times a week and Gabapentin is administered daily for 4 weeks.

Data on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and side effects of Warm Acupuncture and Gabapentin will be recorded before the study and weekly for 4 weeks.

Enrollment

36 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Individuals with a history of herpes zoster in the trunk area.
Individuals diagnosed with Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) by a dermatologist, based on PHN diagnostic criteria, with pain persisting for 3 months or more after the skin lesions have healed.
Individuals with a pain intensity score of ≥ 3, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Individuals diagnosed with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis syndrome by a Traditional Medicine doctor.
Individuals aged 18 years or older.
Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study and sign a consent form.

Exclusion criteria

Active herpes zoster lesions, confirmed by the dermatologist treating the patient.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Patients with severe cognitive impairment who cannot understand the study protocol.
Patients with a history of allergy to Gabapentin.
Currently participating in another interventional study.

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

None (Open label)

36 participants in 2 patient groups

Study Group

Experimental group

Description:

The study group used gabapentin 300mg per tablet, twice a day, for a treatment period of 4 weeks, combined with Warm acupuncture at the Ashi point, EX-B2, LI4, TE6, PC5 and SP6, five times a week for 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group used gabapentin 300mg per tablet, twice a day, for a treatment period of 4 weeks

Treatment:

Drug: Gabapentin