Clinical trials

The goal of this clinical study is to find out whether different electronic acupuncture wave forms can effectively treat recovery-stage Bell's palsy in adults and evaluate their safety. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can targeted electronic acupuncture wave forms improve facial nerve function in patients with Bell's palsy? * What is the optimal electronic acupuncture waveform for different degrees of facial nerve injury? * What adverse events may occur during electronic acupuncture treatment? Researchers will compare low-frequency continuous wave electronic acupuncture and intermittent wave electronic acupuncture to determine which waveform works better for recovery-stage Bell's palsy. Participants will: * Receive either low-frequency continuous wave electronic acupuncture or intermittent wave electronic acupuncture every other day for 4 weeks * Undergo surface sEMG and ENoG examinations at baseline, Week 2, and Week 4 * Complete facial function assessments and safety evaluations at each clinic visit

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture works to treat chronic tinnitus in adults. It will also learn about the neurophysiological effects of acupuncture on auditory conduction pathway function. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does acupuncture lower tinnitus-related disability and severity, as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Tinnitus Effects Questionnaire (TEQ)? What changes in auditory brainstem response (ABR) parameters-such as wave I amplitude and wave V latency-occur after acupuncture treatment, and do these changes correlate with clinical improvement? Researchers will compare ABR parameters and clinical outcomes between chronic tinnitus patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls to characterize tinnitus-related abnormalities. Additionally, the study will evaluate changes within the patient group before and after a 10-session acupuncture course to assess treatment efficacy and explore its neurophysiological mechanisms.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder that causes stomach discomfort, such as fullness or pain after eating, without any visible structural disease. Acupuncture is often used to manage these symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture-a form of acupuncture that uses gentle electrical stimulation-for treating functional dyspepsia. Specifically, the trial will compare the benefits of applying electroacupuncture to points on the abdomen (local points) versus points on the arms and legs (distal points), alongside a control group receiving a sham (inactive) treatment. The goal is to determine the most effective acupuncture strategy for improving patients' digestive symptoms and overall quality of life.

Introduction: The efficacy of existing therapies for the treatment of sarcopenia is still not satisfactory. Therefore, this randomized controlled, assessor-blinded study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture(EA) therapy in elderly patients with sarcopenia. Methods and analysis: This randomized controlled trial will enroll 120 elderly patients with sarcopenia. Subjects will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either EA combined with rehabilitation training group or rehabilitation training group through a central computerized randomization system. Primary outcome measure is lower limb mobility, including 6-minute walk test、timed get up and go test, and short physical performance battery. Secondary outcome measures include lower limb muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength. Outcome assessment will be conducted before the intervention, at 12 weeks after the intervention and at the end of the 12-week follow-up. Adverse reactions will be evaluated during the trial. Conclusion: This research will provide evidence to clarify whether EA is effective and safe in the treatment of sarcopenia.

Research background Scoliosis is a common three-dimensional spinal deformity, especially in adolescents. In severe cases, it can lead to thoracic deformation and cardiopulmonary dysfunction. At present, clinical treatment is mainly based on Cobb angle to take observation, brace or surgical intervention, but there are problems such as poor compliance and large trauma. As a non-invasive massage therapy, leverage positioning manipulation has shown orthopedic effects in clinical practice, but its biomechanical mechanism has not been systematically quantified, which restricts its standardization and promotion. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to quantify the mechanical and kinematic parameters of lever positioning manipulation in the treatment of scoliosis through biomechanical testing and finite element simulation technology, to construct an individualized finite element model, to analyze the stress and strain distribution of each structure of the spine under the intervention of manipulation, to reveal its biomechanical mechanism, and to provide scientific basis for the standardization of manipulation and the optimization of curative effect. Research contents and methods The study is divided into two parts : In the first part, 30 patients with scoliosis were recruited. Through the integrated mechanical sensor and motion capture system, the mechanical parameters ( such as preload force, maximum pull force ) and kinematic parameters ( such as angle, angular velocity ) during the manipulation were recorded in real time. In the second part, based on the CT data of patients, the three-dimensional finite element model of T10-L2 segment was constructed by using Mimics, Geomagic, SolidWorks and ANSYS software to simulate the loading process of manipulation and analyze the stress and strain response of vertebral body, intervertebral disc and ligament complex under the action of manipulation. Expected results and significance This study will systematically quantify the biomechanical characteristics of lever positioning manipulation for the first time, and clarify its mechanism of action in the treatment of thoracolumbar scoliosis. Through the finite element simulation, the stress distribution is visualized, which provides data support for the precision and individualization of manipulation, promotes the transformation of massage manipulation from ' experience dependence ' to ' quantitative science ', and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of intelligent orthopedic equipment in the future. Ethics and quality control The study has passed the ethical review, and all participants will sign the informed consent. The manipulation was performed by the same experienced physician, and the data collection and analysis process was strictly controlled to ensure that the results were true and reliable.

This study aims to objectively evaluate the effect of Patient-Controlled Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (PC-TEAS) on improving the quality of life in patients with chronic cancer pain, thereby providing evidence-based medical support for its efficacy and offering practical basis for patients to achieve home-based auxiliary treatment based on their own needs. Furthermore, by observing and comparing changes in indicators such as pain-related scores, analgesic consumption, emotional scores, spontaneous bowel movements, and adverse events, this research will comprehensively assess the advantages of PC-TEAS in the management of chronic cancer pain and explore other potential benefits of this intervention for patients.

Background: Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal complaint globally, affecting approximately 21.8% of the population. Among patients presenting with dyspeptic symptoms, over 80% are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD), while approximately 16% are found to have chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). CAG represents an important precancerous condition in the gastric cancer cascade, yet the relationship between pathologically confirmed CAG and dyspeptic symptoms remains poorly understood. The significant symptom overlap between CAG and FD creates diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. Study Objectives: The primary objective is to determine whether there are significant differences in the prevalence and severity of dyspeptic symptoms (including epigastric pain, burning sensation, early satiety, and postprandial fullness) between patients with pathologically confirmed CAG and those without CAG (non-CAG group) among individuals who present with endoscopic features suggestive of atrophic gastritis. Secondary objectives include: (1) analyzing the independent effects of various covariates (Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary habits, sleep quality, psychological factors) on dyspeptic symptoms; (2) developing a symptom-based predictive model for pathological CAG; and (3) conducting exploratory serum metabolomics analysis to identify potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways associated with FD symptoms. Study Design: This is a single-center, prospective, observational study conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. The study will enroll approximately 258-315 adult patients (aged 18-75 years) who undergo endoscopy showing features suggestive of CAG within the past year. All participants will undergo standardized 5-point gastric mucosal biopsy according to the Updated Sydney System. Based on histopathological results, patients will be classified into pathological CAG group (presence of gastric mucosal atrophy) or non-CAG group (absence of atrophy). The study aims to recruit at least 80 pathologically confirmed non-CAG patients for comparison. Study Procedures: After obtaining informed consent, all enrolled patients will complete a comprehensive assessment at baseline including: demographic information, medical history, endoscopy and pathology results, Gastrointestinal Symptom Scale (GOSS) questionnaire using a 7-point Likert scale, H. pylori infection status (serology), dietary habits assessment, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and perceived stress evaluation. A subset of participants will provide fasting blood samples for non-targeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify metabolites related to amino acids, organic acids, lipids, and neurotransmitter precursors. This is a non-interventional study with all data and sample collection completed at enrollment without long-term follow-up. Primary Outcome: The primary outcome is the difference between pathological CAG and non-CAG groups in the prevalence and severity of dyspeptic symptoms, particularly cardinal FD symptoms (epigastric pain, burning, early satiety, postprandial fullness), assessed using the GOSS scale. A symptom score ≥4 on any cardinal symptom will define the presence of clinically significant FD symptoms. Expected Duration: The study is expected to last 24 months, including preparation, patient recruitment with data collection, and final statistical analysis and reporting phases. Significance: This study will provide evidence-based insights into the relationship between pathologically confirmed CAG and dyspeptic symptoms, potentially improving symptom management strategies and patient counseling. The metabolomics component may reveal novel biomarkers and pathways underlying symptom generation, laying groundwork for future mechanistic studies and personalized therapeutic approaches. Results will inform clinical practice and serve as preliminary data for larger-scale investigations.

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors, with the main treatment modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, gliomas are highly prone to recurrence, posing significant treatment challenges, especially for high-grade gliomas, which have a 5-year survival rate of only 5.5%. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a common chemotherapeutic agent, and its in vitro antitumor efficacy is 1400 times stronger than that of temozolomide (the first-line chemotherapy drug for gliomas). However, due to its large molecular weight (approximately 893 Da), it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), preventing its use as a first-line treatment for gliomas. Preliminary research by our team has demonstrated that Specific Mode Electroacupuncture Stimulation (SMES) can open the BBB, increasing the concentration of PTX in tumor tissues, peritumoral tissues, and surrounding invasive tissues, thereby exerting antitumor effects. Therefore, this study aims to preliminarily observe the safety and efficacy of SMES combined with PTX in treating patients with postoperative recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this clinical trial is the clinical efficacy of different trigger modes of lever positioning manipulation (LPM) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). At the same time, the investigators considered from the perspective of virtual simulation and applied 3D finite element technology combined with dynamic capture system and mechanical sensing system to comprehensively evaluate the characteristics of biomechanical effects of different triggering modes of LPM on LDH. The main questions ansthe investigatorsred are: (1) To clarify what is the clinical effect of LPM in treating lumbar disc herniation?(2) Summarize the spatial motion laws and mechanical characteristics of the two triggering modes of LPM. Analyze the correlation betthe investigatorsen the LPM operation characteristics and the individual characteristics of LDH patients as the investigatorsll as the imaging parameters, and clarify the differences betthe investigatorsen the two LPM two trigger modes.(3) To analyze the stress-strain effects of the two LPM triggering modes on the L4/5 intervertebral discs and related accessory structures in different zones, and to elaborate the optimal type of LPM triggering modes for the treatment of LDH from the biomechanical point of view.(4) Under the condition of porous elasticity of the intervertebral discs, the investigators will study the effects of transient load on the flow-solid coupling of the intervertebral discs with different degrees of degeneration at L4/5 in the two triggering modes of the LPM, so as to reveal the mechanism of the LPM intervention in the intervertebral discs' degeneration. The main research includes the following four aspects: (1) Clinical efficacy study and standardized data collection of LPM.This study plans to recruit 128 volunteers from the Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be recruited for the study. Sixty-four LDH patients and 64 healthy volunteers the investigatorsre planned to be included in this study. The LDH patients the investigatorsre divided into lever positioning manipulation group (group 1, n=32) sham manipulation group (group 2, n=32) using random number table method. In this group, unilateral wrenching mode was used for patients with paracentral LDH and bilateral wrenching mode was used for patients with central LDH. Manipulation was performed every two days, receiving a total of 6 sessions over 2 the investigatorseks. Healthy volunteers the investigatorsre similarly categorized into unilateral trigger mode group (group 3, n=32) bilateral trigger mode group (group 4, n=32) using random number table method. LPM treatments the investigatorsre administered every two days, receiving a total of 6 sessions over 2 the investigatorseks. Participants in both Group 1 and Group 2 the investigatorsre required to complete clinical questionnaire assessments, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system. During the LPM operation, the performer wore a mechanical sensing glove to collect the mechanical parameters of the maneuver, while a motion capture system was used to collect the kinematic parameters of the LPM, and the individual characteristics and imaging parameters of all the volunteers the investigatorsre collected, so as to analyze the correlation betthe investigatorsen the mechanical parameters, kinematic parameters, and the individual factors of the patients with LDH.(2) Virtual simulation model building and maneuver loading analysis.One standard volunteer was selected among 64 healthy volunteers, and the lumbar spine-pelvis imaging CT data the investigatorsre imported into Mimics software for geometric model extraction and preliminary processing. Geomagic and other software the investigatorsre utilized to construct the lumbar spine 3D finite element simulation model. And based on Abaqus CAE finite element simulation software, two kinds of wrenching mode maneuvers of LPM the investigatorsre simulated and loaded. The kinematic and mechanical parameters of the LPM the investigatorsre disassembled and loaded into each model to obtain the analytical models of manipulation in different trigger modes. The experimental results the investigatorsre obtained by calculating and analyzing the working conditions of LPM through Abaqus software. Observe the stress and strain on the intervertebral disc and ancillary structures under the action of LPM in different pulling modes.(3) Fluid-solid coupling effect of LPM on lumbar intervertebral disc under transient loads.Under the condition of considering the porous elasticity of the intervertebral disc, the coupled flow-stress simulation in Abaqus CAE was utilized to study the coupled flow-solid effect of the intervertebral disc, and then loaded to simulate the LPM manipulation, and observed the changes such as the stress displacement of the intervertebral disc under the manipulation.

Ischemic stroke is a common clinical disease, often accompanied by dysphagia. At present, clinical treatment for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke is limited. The emergence of NGF has surprised the field of neurorehabilitation, but the clinical effect is not satisfactory. The main problem is that NGF is a macromolecular material with a molecular weight of 13.4 KD, which is difficult to penetrate the blood brain barrier. A large number of previous studies in our team have found that electroacupuncture with specific stimulation mode can open the blood brain barrier and induce NGF into the brain. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of specific mode electroacupuncture stimulation combined with NGF treatment on patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke and to explore the mechanism of this combination therapy to improve brain function, which creates a new method and theoretical basis for nerve rehabilitation of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

By comparing the clinical manifestations, ABR parameters and cerebral cortex blood oxygen levels of chronic tinnitus patients and healthy subjects under two different body states, the peripheral-central correlation of chronic tinnitus patients was explored, and the modern scientific significance of the theory of "two ears connecting the brain" was initially expounded. On this basis, the immediate and cumulative effects and peripheral-central correlation of "dao qi tong luo" intervention in chronic tinnitus were observed, and the effective mechanism of "dao qi tong luo" treatment was explored.

This is a randomized controlled and assessor-blinded design trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for bladder pain syndrome(BPS). All eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the medication group(n=21), EA group(n=42) and SA group(n=21) in a 1:2:1 allocation ratio. Participants will receive 4-week treatments phase followed by a 4-week follow-up phase. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, during the treatment and at the end of the follow-up. Outcome assessors, data managers and statisticians will be blinded to the group allocation, while acupuncturists and participants will not be blinded for obvious reasons. Besides, fMRI will be used to collect spontaneous electrical activity of the brain of patients. In this trial, the investigators assume that electroacupuncture for BPS, compared to amitriptyline, is instrumental in improving symptoms such as pain, frequent micturition and emotional disorder.

Through the recruition of outpatients who clinically meet the diagnostic criteria and inclusion criteria of PI, the acupuncture group adopts Tiaoshen acupuncture, and the placebo acupuncture group adopts non-insertive acupuncture supported by the Park device, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is used as the main index to evaluate the patients through the scale; subjective indicators like Chalder 14-item fatigue scale, Epworth sleepiness rating, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and objective indicators like polysomnography (PSG), heart rate variability (HRV) is regarded as a secondary index, and then evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tiaoshen acupuncture on PI and explore its mechanism.

This trial aims to use machine learning to analyze fNIRS imaging data of specific brain regions of tinnitus patients, thereby constructing a predictive model of the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for SNT.

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors, with surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy as the main treatment modalities. However, they are highly prone to recurrence, presenting significant treatment challenges, especially for high-grade gliomas, which have a 5-year survival rate of only 5.5%. Paclitaxel, a common chemotherapeutic agent, exhibits antitumor effects in vitro that are 1400 times stronger than those of temozolomide (the first-line chemotherapy drug for gliomas). However, due to its large molecular weight (approximately 893 Da), it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, precluding its use as a first-line treatment for gliomas. Preliminary research by our team has demonstrated that Specific Mode Electroacupuncture Stimulation (SMES) can open the blood-brain barrier, enhancing the concentration of albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABX) in tumor tissues, peritumoral tissues, and surrounding invasive tissues, thereby exerting antitumor effects. Consequently, this study aims to observe the safety and efficacy of SMES combined with ABX in treating patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas postoperatively, to explore its mechanisms of action, extend survival, improve quality of life, and forge new theories and methods for the integrative treatment of brain tumors combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Comparison and evaluation of the difference in clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with surrounding acupuncture and sham electroacupuncture groups and control group (ice compress combined with brake rest group) in the treatment of ALAS by means of musculoskeletal ultrasound technique.