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Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN )NCT06893172

Effectiveness of Warm Acupuncture in Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia

A study testing Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin and Gabapentin in people with Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), run by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN )
What is being tested?
Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin and Gabapentin
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Apr 2025to 29 Aug 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 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.

Who cannot join

  • 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 locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Quyen Le Bao Nguyen contact

+84981864951

baoquyen2397@gmail.com

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Warm Acupuncture for Postherpetic Neuralgia in the Context of the Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

Read the detailed 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.

Being tested
Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin, Gabapentin
Keywords
Warm acupuncture, Postherpetic Neuralgia
Medical subject headings
Neuralgia, Postherpetic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Warm acupuncture and GabapentinOther

    This 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.

  • GabapentinDrug

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

Study groups in NCT06893172
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Study GroupExperimentalThe 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.
Receives: Other: Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin
Control GroupActive comparatorThe control group used gabapentin 300mg per tablet, twice a day, for a treatment period of 4 weeks
Receives: Drug: Gabapentin

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The change of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Pain will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients will be asked to circle a number from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst possible pain.

    Measured: Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the four weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Proportion of intervention-related adverse events

    While Warm acupuncture is generally considered safe, some patients may experience minor side effects at the application site. Studies on Warm Acupuncture have reported negligible adverse effects. The recorded adverse effects include burns, pain at the acupuncture site, and bleeding at the acupuncture site. The study will closely monitor and document any unexpected adverse events associated with the procedure.

    Measured: Up to four weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Mar 2025
  2. Study start1 Apr 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion29 Aug 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion29 Aug 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
36 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06893172
Sponsor's protocol ID
1705/DHYD-HDDD
Status last verified
Mar 2025
First submitted
18 Mar 2025
Last updated
25 Mar 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Zhao H, Nie W, Sun Y, Li S, Yang S, Meng F, Zhang L, Wang F, Huang S. Warm Needling Therapy and Acupuncture at Meridian-Sinew Sites Based on the Meridian-Sinew Theory: Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:694973. doi: 10.1155/2015/694973. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

    PubMed 26495023
  • Li X, Han Y, Cui J, Yuan P, Di Z, Li L. Efficacy of Warm Needle Moxibustion on Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2016 Oct;21(4):311-9. doi: 10.1177/2156587215605419. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

    PubMed 26378088
  • Wang L, Qiu L, Zheng X, Ouyang J, Zhang M, He L, Zeng S, Liu B, Peng J. Effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints (EX-B2), plus moxibustion and intermediate on postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2020 Feb;40(1):121-127.

    PubMed 32227773
  • Pei W, Zeng J, Lu L, Lin G, Ruan J. Is acupuncture an effective postherpetic neuralgia treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain Res. 2019 Jul 16;12:2155-2165. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S199950. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31410050
  • Zhao W, Huang H, Liu K, Wang S, Lin S, Long W, Li L, Zeng J, Lin G. Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Frequentist Network Meta-Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Mar 16;2022:6886465. doi: 10.1155/2022/6886465. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 35341147
  • He K, Hu R, Huang Y, Qiu B, Chen Q, Ma R. Effects of Acupuncture on Neuropathic Pain Induced by Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Aug 19;2022:6297484. doi: 10.1155/2022/6297484. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36034938
  • Johnson RW, Rice AS. Clinical practice. Postherpetic neuralgia. N Engl J Med. 2014 Oct 16;371(16):1526-33. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1403062. No abstract available.

    PubMed 25317872
  • Lin CS, Lin YC, Lao HC, Chen CC. Interventional Treatments for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review. Pain Physician. 2019 May;22(3):209-228.

    PubMed 31151330
  • Zhang M, Gao CX, Ma KT, Li L, Dai ZG, Wang S, Si JQ. A Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia from Randomized Controlled Trials. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Jul 4;2018:7474207. doi: 10.1155/2018/7474207. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 30069477
  • Du J, Sun G, Ma H, Xiang P, Guo Y, Deng Y, Li S, Li X. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study. Dermatology. 2021;237(6):891-895. doi: 10.1159/000512190. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

    PubMed 33326962
  • Putri Mellaratna W, Jusuf NK, Yosi A. The impact of pain intensity on quality of life of postherpetic neuralgia patients. Med Glas (Zenica). 2020 Aug 1;17(2):439-444. doi: 10.17392/1111-20.

    PubMed 32253903
  • Yang F, Yu S, Fan B, Liu Y, Chen YX, Kudel I, Concialdi K, DiBonaventura M, Hopps M, Hlavacek P, Cappelleri JC, Sadosky A, Parsons B, Udall M. The Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in China: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study. Pain Ther. 2019 Dec;8(2):249-259. doi: 10.1007/s40122-019-0127-z. Epub 2019 Jun 19.

    PubMed 31218562
  • Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008 Jun 6;57(RR-5):1-30; quiz CE2-4.

    PubMed 18528318
  • Lin YH, Huang LM, Chang IS, Tsai FY, Lu CY, Shao PL, Chang LY; Varicella-Zoster Working Group; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Taiwan. Disease burden and epidemiology of herpes zoster in pre-vaccine Taiwan. Vaccine. 2010 Feb 3;28(5):1217-20. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.11.029. Epub 2009 Nov 26.

    PubMed 19944790
  • Chen LK, Arai H, Chen LY, Chou MY, Djauzi S, Dong B, Kojima T, Kwon KT, Leong HN, Leung EM, Liang CK, Liu X, Mathai D, Pan JY, Peng LN, Poblete ER, Poi PJ, Reid S, Tantawichien T, Won CW. Looking back to move forward: a twenty-year audit of herpes zoster in Asia-Pacific. BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Mar 15;17(1):213. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2198-y.

    PubMed 28298208

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Warm acupuncture and Gabapentin and Gabapentin in people with Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), run by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Quyen Le Bao Nguyen (+84981864951, baoquyen2397@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The change of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (time frame: Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the four weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06893172, which also lists 15 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Mar 2025.

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