Cervical SpondylosisNCT07151404
Efficacy of Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) for Neck Pain in Cervical Spondylosis
A study testing Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + Electroacupuncture and Electroacupuncture Only in people with Cervical Spondylosis and Neck Pain, run by Nguyen Ngoc Doan Thuy at 1 site in Vietnam.
Trial summary
Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disorder of the cervical spine that often leads to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and reduced daily functioning. Pain management in these patients remains challenging, and acupuncture is widely used as a non-pharmacological treatment option. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + Electroacupuncture and Electroacupuncture Only
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 130 participants
- Where
- 1 siteVietnam
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 1 Mar 2026
- 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 40 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 40 years or older
- Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis based on clinical evaluation and imaging.
- Presence of cervical spine syndrome, including:
- Neck and shoulder pain.
- Limited range of motion in the cervical spine.
- Local tenderness over the cervical spine or paraspinal region corresponding to nerve roots.
Show all 11Show fewer
- Radiographic evidence of cervical spondylosis on standard X-ray (frontal, lateral, or oblique views), showing one or more of the following:
- Subchondral sclerosis.
- Narrowing of the intervertebral disc space.
- Osteophyte formation (bone spurs, bridging osteophytes).
- Patients receiving treatment at Thu Duc City Hospital
Who cannot join
- Patients who do not agree to participate in the study.
- Acute torticollis, cervical disc herniation, spinal deformity, cervical spine trauma, or spinal tumors.
- Neck and shoulder pain not caused by cervical spondylosis.
- History of systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe cardiovascular disease, systemic infection, malignancy, or immunodeficiency disorders.
- History of neurological or psychiatric conditions that impair communication or compliance, including speech disorders, impaired consciousness, psychosis, or dementia.
- Contraindications to electroacupuncture.
- Non-compliance with study treatment protocol.
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within the past 10 days or local corticosteroid injection within the past 3 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Vietnam1 site
Thu Duc City Hospital
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, 700000
Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc, +84-918-949-394, nndthuy@uhsvnu.edu.vn
Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc, +84-918-949-394, nguyenngocdoanthuy@outlook.com
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) Based on Six Command Points Theory, Combined With Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and Cervical-Shoulder Points in Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disorder of the cervical spine that often leads to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and reduced daily functioning. Pain management in these patients remains challenging, and acupuncture is widely used as a non-pharmacological treatment option. However, the additional benefit of stimulating the Lieque (LU7) acupoint, based on the Six Command Points theory, has not been fully established.
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether acupuncture at Lieque (LU7), combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points, provides greater pain relief compared to electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points alone.
Read more
A total of 130 participants with cervical spondylosis will be randomly assigned to two groups. Treatments will be delivered over 20 days. The primary outcome is the change in neck pain intensity, measured by a 0-100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), from baseline to the end of treatment.
The findings will provide clinical evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) for reducing neck pain and improving patient outcomes in cervical spondylosis.
- Conditions
- Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + Electroacupuncture, Electroacupuncture Only
- Keywords
- Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain, Cervical Spine, Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Lieque Point, LU7 Acupoint, Jiaji Points, Cervical-Shoulder Acupoints, Randomized Controlled Trial, LU7, Ex-B2, Ex-B2, C4-C7
- Medical subject headings
- Spondylosis, Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + ElectroacupunctureProcedure or surgery
Also called Filiform Needle Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7), Filiform Needle Acupuncture at LU7, Filiform Needle Acupuncture
Participants will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints including Fengchi (GB20), Jianjing (GB21), Tianzhu (BL10), and Dazhu (BL11). Sterile disposable filiform needles (0.3 × 25 mm) will be inserted at LU7 using standard manual acupuncture technique. Electroacupuncture will be delivered with continuous wave stimulation at 60 Hz for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays.
Electroacupuncture OnlyProcedure or surgery
Also called Electroacupuncture, Electroacupuncture Control, EA at Jiaji and Neck-Shoulder Acupoints, EA
Participants will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints including Fengchi (GB20), Jianjing (GB21), Tianzhu (BL10), and Dazhu (BL11), without acupuncture at Lieque (LU7). Electroacupuncture will be delivered with continuous wave stimulation at 60 Hz for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Lieque (LU7) + Electroacupuncture | Experimental | Participants will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints. Sterile disposable filiform needles (0.3 × 25 mm) will be used. Electroacupuncture will be applied at 60 Hz continuous wave for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be given once daily for a total of 20 sessions, excluding Sundays (approximately 4 weeks). Receives: Procedure: Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + Electroacupuncture |
| Electroacupuncture Only | Active comparator | Participants will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints only, without acupuncture at Lieque (LU7). Electroacupuncture will be applied at 60 Hz continuous wave for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be given once daily for a total of 20 sessions, excluding Sundays (approximately 4 weeks). Receives: Procedure: Electroacupuncture Only |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Neck Pain Intensity (VAS Score)
Pain intensity in the neck region will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 mm = no pain and 100 mm = worst possible pain.
Measured: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) Score
The NPQ (8-item version) will be used to assess disability related to neck pain. It covers 8 domains: pain intensity, pain and sleep, nocturnal paresthesia, duration of symptoms, carrying objects, reading/TV, work/housework, and social activities. Each domain is scored 0-4; total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 32 (severe disability). Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Measured: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Change in Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Cervical spine ROM (flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, right/left rotation) will be measured in degrees using a goniometer (or inclinometer). Higher values indicate greater mobility.
Measured: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cervical SpondylosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and selected neck-shoulder acupoints. The control group will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints only. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 130 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nguyen Ngoc Doan Thuy
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Nguyen Ngoc Doan Thuy, School of Medicine - Vietnam National University at Ho Chi Minh city
- Investigators
- Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc, Principal investigator, The University of Health Sciences, VNU-HCM
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07151404
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- C2025-44-13
- Other IDs
- 86/QĐ-ĐHQG
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to concerns regarding data confidentiality and patient privacy.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) Based on Six Command Points Theory, Combined With Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and Cervical-Shoulder Points in Cervical Spondylosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07151404
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- C2025-44-13
- Conditions
- Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain
- Keywords
- Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain, Cervical Spine, Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Lieque Point, LU7 Acupoint, Jiaji Points
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 130 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Nguyen Ngoc Doan ThuyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disorder of the cervical spine that often leads to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and reduced daily functioning. Pain management in these patients remains challenging, and acupuncture is widely used as a non-pharmacological treatment option. However, the additional benefit of stimulating the Lieque (LU7) acupoint, based on the Six Command Points theory, has not been fully established.
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether acupuncture at Lieque (LU7), combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points, provides greater pain relief compared to electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and cervical-shoulder points alone.
A total of 130 participants with cervical spondylosis will be randomly assigned to two groups. Treatments will be delivered over 20 days. The primary outcome is the change in neck pain intensity, measured by a 0-100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), from baseline to the end of treatment.
The findings will provide clinical evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) for reducing neck pain and improving patient outcomes in cervical spondylosis.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and selected neck-shoulder acupoints. The control group will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints only. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Lieque (LU7) + Electroacupuncture | Experimental | Procedure: Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + ElectroacupunctureParticipants will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints. Sterile disposable filiform needles (0.3 × 25 mm) will be used. Electroacupuncture will be applied at 60 Hz continuous wave for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be given once daily for a total of 20 sessions, excluding Sundays (approximately 4 weeks). |
| Electroacupuncture Only | Active comparator | Procedure: Electroacupuncture OnlyParticipants will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints only, without acupuncture at Lieque (LU7). Electroacupuncture will be applied at 60 Hz continuous wave for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be given once daily for a total of 20 sessions, excluding Sundays (approximately 4 weeks). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Age 40 years or older
- Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis based on clinical evaluation and imaging.
- Presence of cervical spine syndrome, including:
- Radiographic evidence of cervical spondylosis on standard X-ray (frontal, lateral, or oblique views), showing one or more of the following:
- Patients receiving treatment at Thu Duc City Hospital
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Patients who do not agree to participate in the study.
- Acute torticollis, cervical disc herniation, spinal deformity, cervical spine trauma, or spinal tumors.
- Neck and shoulder pain not caused by cervical spondylosis.
- History of systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe cardiovascular disease, systemic infection, malignancy, or immunodeficiency disorders.
- History of neurological or psychiatric conditions that impair communication or compliance, including speech disorders, impaired consciousness, psychosis, or dementia.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + ElectroacupunctureAlso: Filiform Needle Acupuncture at Lieque (LU7), Filiform Needle Acupuncture at LU7, Filiform Needle AcupunctureParticipants will receive filiform needle acupuncture at Lieque (LU7) combined with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints including Fengchi (GB20), Jianjing (GB21), Tianzhu (BL10), and Dazhu (BL11). Sterile disposable filiform needles (0.3 × 25 mm) will be inserted at LU7 using standard manual acupuncture technique. Electroacupuncture will be delivered with continuous wave stimulation at 60 Hz for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays. | Procedure or surgery | Lieque (LU7) + Electroacupuncture |
| Electroacupuncture OnlyAlso: Electroacupuncture, Electroacupuncture Control, EA at Jiaji and Neck-Shoulder Acupoints, EAParticipants will receive electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B2, C4-C7) and neck-shoulder acupoints including Fengchi (GB20), Jianjing (GB21), Tianzhu (BL10), and Dazhu (BL11), without acupuncture at Lieque (LU7). Electroacupuncture will be delivered with continuous wave stimulation at 60 Hz for 30 minutes per session. Treatment will be performed once daily for a total of 20 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, excluding Sundays. | Procedure or surgery | Electroacupuncture Only |
Primary outcome
Change in Neck Pain Intensity (VAS Score)
Time frame: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Pain intensity in the neck region will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 mm = no pain and 100 mm = worst possible pain.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) Score
Time frame: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Change in Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Time frame: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to concerns regarding data confidentiality and patient privacy.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc principal investigator
The University of Health Sciences, VNU-HCM
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acupuncture at LU7 (Lieque) + Electroacupuncture and Electroacupuncture Only in people with Cervical Spondylosis and Neck Pain, run by Nguyen Ngoc Doan Thuy at 1 site in Vietnam.
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 11 inclusion and 8 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 3 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Vietnam. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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 Ngoc Doan Thuy Nguyen, MD, MSc (+84-918-949-394, nndthuy@uhsvnu.edu.vn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Neck Pain Intensity (VAS Score) (time frame: Baseline (D0), Day 10 (D10), and Day 20 (D20).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 3 Sep 2025.