Efficacy of Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain Based on Remote Point Selection According to the Meridians

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT06939309

China Medical University Hospital90 enrolled

Overview

This double blind randomized controlled trial investigates the immediate efficacy of acupuncture for shoulder pain using remote point selection based on meridian theory. A total of 90 participants with shoulder pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥ 4) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: acupuncture SC, acupuncture CS, and rehabilitation. Meridian selection will be determined based on the patient's most painful shoulder movement and corresponding pain location, followed by standardized distal acupoint application. Outcome measures include changes in pain intensity (NRS) and shoulder range of motion assessed at baseline, post-first acupuncture, post-second acupuncture, and 30 minutes post-treatment. Blinded evaluators will conduct all assessments. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meridian-based remote acupuncture and explore its relationship with shoulder movement patterns and soft tissue involvement.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Shoulder Pain Acupuncture Meridians

Interventions

AcupuncturePROCEDURE

In this study, both the acupuncture SC group and the acupuncture CS group will receive two acupuncture treatments in one session. The SC group will first receive acupuncture at the standardized acupoint followed by the controlled acupoint, while the CS group will first receive acupuncture at the controlled acupoint followed by the standardized acupoint.

RehabilitationPROCEDURE

Participants will complete a 30-minute rehabilitation session, which includes electrotherapy and thermotherapy applied to the shoulder.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be at least 18 years old. * Shoulder pain persisting for at least one week. * Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with cervical radiculopathy or other localized neurological disorders affecting the upper limb. * Psychiatric disorders that may interfere with examination, treatment, or evaluation of disease progression. * Pregnant patients. * Inability to provide informed consent.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain Intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS: 0-10)

Patients will be asked to rate their pain intensity using a numerical scale. 0: No pain. 1-3: Mild pain - the patient feels pain but can tolerate it; normal daily activities and sleep are not disturbed. 4-6: Moderate pain - the pain is noticeable and difficult to tolerate; sleep may be disturbed, such as waking up due to pain; patients may request pain medication. 7-10: Severe pain - the pain is intense and intolerable; sleep is severely disturbed or impossible; pain medication is often necessary.

Time frame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.

Secondary Outcomes

Range of Motion

A goniometer will be used to measure the range of motion of the affected shoulder joint in the following movements: flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation.