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NCT Number: NCT06700278

Auricular Acupressure and Limb Massage for Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury

This randomized controlled trial included 90 patients with spinal cord injury, divided into an experimental group and a control group (45 each). The experimental group received auricular acupressure alongside rehabilitation therapy, while the control group received body acupoint massage alongside rehabilitation therapy. The intervention targeted specific auricular and body acupoints, performed three times daily, five days a week, for three weeks.

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Key information

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neuralgia Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Signs and Symptoms Spinal Cord Diseases Spinal Cord Injuries Trauma, Nervous System Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted in the rehabilitation ward of National Taiwan University Hospital, using a convenience sampling method. A total of 90 spinal cord injury patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=45) or the control group (n=45).

The experimental group will receive auricular acupressure in addition to rehabilitation therapy. The selected auricular acupoints include Shenmen (TF4), Subcortex (AT1), Liver (CO12), and Sympathetic (AH6a).

The control group will receive body acupoint massage in addition to rehabilitation therapy. The selected body acupoints include Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36).

Both groups will receive acupoint massage three times daily, with each acupoint being massaged for three minutes. The applied pressure will be adjusted to induce sensations of soreness, numbness, fullness, or mild pain. The intervention will be conducted five days per week for a total of three weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Over 18 years old.
  • Spinal cord injury due to traumatic or non-traumatic reasons.
  • Within one year after spinal cord injury.
  • Spinal cord injuries are classified into ASIA grades B to D.
  • DN4 scale ≥ 4 points and PainDETECT scale ≥ 19 points.
  • Able to communicate in Mandarin and Taiwanese or able to read and write Chinese.

Exclusion criteria

  • The auricle and surrounding skin are injured, infected or susceptible.
  • Nerve block surgery has been performed previously.

Treatment and study plan

auricular acupressure

Behavioral

auricular acupressure was performed three times daily, with each acupoint massaged for three minutes at an optimal pressure level that induced sensations of soreness, numbness, distension, or mild pain. This was conducted five days a week for three weeks, in addition to regular rehabilitation therapy provided five days per week.The selected auricular acupoints include Shenmen (TF4), Subcortex (AT1), Liver (CO12), and Sympathetic (AH6a).

body acupoint massage

Behavioral

The control group will receive acupoint massage three times daily, with each acupoint being massaged for three minutes. The applied pressure will be adjusted to induce sensations of soreness, numbness, fullness, or mild pain. The intervention will be conducted five days per week for a total of three weeks. The selected body acupoints include Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36).

Primary outcomes

  1. Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions(DN4)

    Time frame: Before the intervention and on the 5th, 12th, and 19th days of the intervention.

  2. PainDetect Pain Questionnaire

    Time frame: Before the intervention and on the 5th, 12th, and 19th days of the intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Barthel Index

    Time frame: Before the intervention and on the 5th, 12th, and 19th days of the intervention.

  2. WHOQOL-BREF

    Time frame: Before the intervention and on the 5th, 12th, and 19th days of the intervention.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Weng YUE CI

CONTACT

[email protected]

+886 972739669

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Taiwan University Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Auricular Acupressure and Peripheral Limb Acupoint Massage on Neuropathic Pain, Activities of Daily Living and Quality of Life in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 21, 2024
Registry last updated
Feb 26, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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