Neck PainNCT07522710
Clinical Study on Intensive Multi-acupuncture in the Treatment of Neck and Shoulder Myofascial Pain Syndrome
A study testing Acupuncture in people with Neck Pain and Shoulder and Neck, run by Yongliang Jiang.
Trial summary
In this study, the proposed subjects came from the Traditional Diagnosisand Treatment Center of Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province.78 patients with neck and shoulder pain who met the criteria were randomly divided into the control group (39 cases) and the experimental group (39 cases) in a ratio of 1:1.The… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 69 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Shoulder and Neck
- What is being tested?
- Acupuncture
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 22 Mar 2026to 1 Apr 2027
- 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 to 69 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Meet the above diagnostic criteria for both Chinese and Western medicine;
- Aged between 18 and 69 years, with no gender restriction; ③ Disease duration of more than 3 months, with no other treatment received within the past month; ④ Voluntarily participate in this study, comply with the physician's arrangements, cooperate with treatment, and sign the Informed Consent Form.
Who cannot join
- Patients with severe life-threatening primary diseases such as severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or hematopoietic system disorders, as well as those with psychiatric conditions;
- Patients with pre-existing diseases that may affect the diagnosis of this condition, such as spinal cord injury, significant cervical disc herniation or spondylolisthesis, cervical compression fracture, whiplash injury, etc., as well as those complicated by visceral disorders presenting with similar symptoms; ③ Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, for whom acupuncture treatment is not suitable;
- Patients with a history of needle phobia, hemophobia, bleeding tendency, or coagulation disorders;
- Patients with ulcers or suspected infection on the local body surface; ⑥ Patients who have received other treatments within the past two weeks that may potentially affect the observation of the study outcomes; ⑦ Patients with cognitive impairments who are unable to independently complete the relevant scale assessments or do so under the guidance of the researcher.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Clinical Study on the Treatment of Neck and Shoulder Pain by Intensive Multi-acupuncture Method Based on the Principle of "Tendons Disease Pain-point Needling".
In this study, the proposed subjects came from the Traditional Diagnosisand Treatment Center of Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province.78 patients with neck and shoulder pain who met the criteria were randomly divided into the control group (39 cases) and the experimental group (39 cases) in a ratio of 1:1.The control group used ordinary acupuncture methods,and the experimental group adopted intensive mtlti-acupuncture method for intervention.The treatment was carried out twice a week,with 4 times as a course of treatment,for a total of one couse of treatment.
The data of VAS NDI,Cervical Range of Motion Assessment,and Constant-Murley Score of the two grous were recorded at the baseline period,after the 2nd treatment,after the 4th treatment,and 2 weeks after the end of the treatment for follow-up.All data were statistically analyzed using SPSS27.0 software,and relevant differences were compared after treatment. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive multi-acupuncture method in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain,and to promote the development and clinical application of"pain as adupoint" meridian stabbing method.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Shoulder and Neck
- Being tested
- Acupuncture
- Keywords
- Neck and Shoulder Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Neck Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AcupunctureProcedure or surgery
The needles are inserted into the subject body to treat the disease.
AcupunctureProcedure or surgery
The needles are inserted into the subject body to treat the disease.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| intensive multi-acupuncture method group | Experimental | Perpendicular or oblique insertion in the occipital region reaching the periosteal attachment of the superior/inferior nuchal lines; after the needle tip contacts the bone surface, perform mild lifting and thrusting to elicit a sour and distending sensation, with a depth ≤ 3 cm. In the posterior neck, insert along the paravertebral region adjacent to the spinous processes from C2 to T2 and the articular processes using a subperiosteal technique, advancing along the spinous processes with the depth controlled within 0.5 cm beneath the bone surface. In the infraspinous fossa of the scapula, insert perpendicularly toward the bone surface; along the scapular medial border, insert obliquely parallel to the ribs. In the anterior shoulder region, insert at the coracoid process area and the intertubercular groove of the humerus at a 45° oblique angle until the needle tip contacts the bone surface.The treatment is performed twice a week for a total of 4 treatments. Receives: Procedure: Acupuncture |
| normal needling group | Experimental | The points were selected with reference to the 2006 National Standard of the People's Republic of China(GB/T 12346-2006),"Acupoint Names and Localization".The patients were placed in the prone position, the acupoints were sterilized with 75% alcohol, and the needles were inserted vertically with the conventional needling method, to the extent that there was a sensation of acidity,numbness,heaviness, distension,or radiating to the surroundings, and the needles were left in place for 15 min. The treatments were carried out twice a week for a total of four treatments. Receives: Procedure: Acupuncture |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
clinical efficacy evaluation criteria
It was evaluated according to the efficacy standard of neck and shoulder pain in the Guidelines for Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicines, and the NDI index was used as the benchmark:
Efficacy index (N) = [(pre-treatment score - post-treatment score) ÷ pre-treatment score] × 100%
- cure: the patient does not feel obvious back pain and other discomforts, N ≥ 90%
- Effective: Effective: low back pain is significantly relieved, 60% ≤ N < 90% ③ Effective: lower back pain is relieved, 30%≤N<60%. ④ Ineffective: the patient's low back pain is not relieved, N<30%. Total effective rate (%) = [(number of cured + number of effective + number of effective) ÷ number of cases in each group] × 100%.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Secondary outcomes (4)
Pain visual analog scale score(VAS)
The visual analogue scale (VAS) is used for pain assessment.The basic method is to use a traveling scale of about 10 cm in length,with"0" and"10" scores at each end, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 representing the most severe pain that is intolerable.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Neck Disability Index (NDI) score
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a commonly used scale for assessing the degree of cervical pain and associated functional impairment, reflecting the improvement in neck function before and after treatment. It consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 to 5, with a total score ranging from 0 to 50.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) scale
CROM refers to a method for measuring cervical range of motion using the arc of motion. A medical goniometer is used for measurement, and the degrees of motion are recorded in six directions: flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left and right rotation.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Constant-Murley Score (CMS) scale
The CMS is a multidimensional scale widely used to assess shoulder joint function, covering four aspects: pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, and muscle strength. The total score is 100, with a higher score indicating better shoulder joint function.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Apr 2026
- Study start22 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion3 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Yongliang Jiang
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Yongliang Jiang, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522710
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ZSLL-ZN-2026-008-01
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Clinical Study on the Treatment of Neck and Shoulder Pain by Intensive Multi-acupuncture Method Based on the Principle of "Tendons Disease Pain-point Needling".
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522710
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ZSLL-ZN-2026-008-01
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Shoulder and Neck
- Keywords
- Neck and Shoulder Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Neck Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Yongliang JiangOther government
- Study start
- 22 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 3 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Apr 2026 (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.
In this study, the proposed subjects came from the Traditional Diagnosisand Treatment Center of Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province.78 patients with neck and shoulder pain who met the criteria were randomly divided into the control group (39 cases) and the experimental group (39 cases) in a ratio of 1:1.The control group used ordinary acupuncture methods,and the experimental group adopted intensive mtlti-acupuncture method for intervention.The treatment was carried out twice a week,with 4 times as a course of treatment,for a total of one couse of treatment.
The data of VAS NDI,Cervical Range of Motion Assessment,and Constant-Murley Score of the two grous were recorded at the baseline period,after the 2nd treatment,after the 4th treatment,and 2 weeks after the end of the treatment for follow-up.All data were statistically analyzed using SPSS27.0 software,and relevant differences were compared after treatment. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive multi-acupuncture method in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain,and to promote the development and clinical application of"pain as adupoint" meridian stabbing method.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| intensive multi-acupuncture method group | Experimental | Procedure: AcupuncturePerpendicular or oblique insertion in the occipital region reaching the periosteal attachment of the superior/inferior nuchal lines; after the needle tip contacts the bone surface, perform mild lifting and thrusting to elicit a sour and distending sensation, with a depth ≤ 3 cm. In the posterior neck, insert along the paravertebral region adjacent to the spinous processes from C2 to T2 and the articular processes using a subperiosteal technique, advancing along the spinous processes with the depth controlled within 0.5 cm beneath the bone surface. In the infraspinous fossa of the scapula, insert perpendicularly toward the bone surface; along the scapular medial border, insert obliquely parallel to the ribs. In the anterior shoulder region, insert at the coracoid process area and the intertubercular groove of the humerus at a 45° oblique angle until the needle tip contacts the bone surface.The treatment is performed twice a week for a total of 4 treatments. |
| normal needling group | Experimental | Procedure: AcupunctureThe points were selected with reference to the 2006 National Standard of the People's Republic of China(GB/T 12346-2006),"Acupoint Names and Localization".The patients were placed in the prone position, the acupoints were sterilized with 75% alcohol, and the needles were inserted vertically with the conventional needling method, to the extent that there was a sensation of acidity,numbness,heaviness, distension,or radiating to the surroundings, and the needles were left in place for 15 min. The treatments were carried out twice a week for a total of four treatments. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 69 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Meet the above diagnostic criteria for both Chinese and Western medicine;
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients with severe life-threatening primary diseases such as severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or hematopoietic system disorders, as well as those with psychiatric conditions;
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AcupunctureThe needles are inserted into the subject body to treat the disease. | Procedure or surgery | intensive multi-acupuncture method group |
| AcupunctureThe needles are inserted into the subject body to treat the disease. | Procedure or surgery | normal needling group |
Primary outcome
clinical efficacy evaluation criteria
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
It was evaluated according to the efficacy standard of neck and shoulder pain in the Guidelines for Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicines, and the NDI index was used as the benchmark: Efficacy index (N) = [(pre-treatment score - post-treatment score) ÷ pre-treatment score] × 100% * cure: the patient does not feel obvious back pain and other discomforts, N ≥ 90% * Effective: Effective: low back pain is significantly relieved, 60% ≤ N < 90% ③ Effective: lower back pain is relieved, 30%≤N<60%. ④ Ineffective: the patient's low back pain is not relieved, N<30%. Total effective rate (%) = [(number of cured + number of effective + number of effective) ÷ number of cases in each group] × 100%.
4 secondary outcomes
Pain visual analog scale score(VAS)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Neck Disability Index (NDI) score
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) scale
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Constant-Murley Score (CMS) scale
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
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 13 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acupuncture in people with Neck Pain and Shoulder and Neck, run by Yongliang Jiang.
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 2 inclusion and 4 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 13 Apr 2026. 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 yeying yeying (15679234887, yeyinging931@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
clinical efficacy evaluation criteria (time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year). 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 13 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.