Electro-thumbtack Needle Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain
Neck Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Neck Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with neck pain with headaches or neck pain with movement coordination impairments according to the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA);
- Aaged 18-65 years;
- History of neck pain for at least 3 months;
- A score of ≥4 in Numerical Rating Scale for neck pain (NRS-NP) assessing the average neck pain intensity over last 7 days until the day of recruitment.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with neck pain with mobility deficits or neck pain with radiating pain according to the Orthopaedic Section, APTA;
- Known specific reason leading to neck pain such as tumor, immune disease, endocrine and metabolic disorders, neurological abnormalities, cervical vertebra fracture, cervical dislocation;
- Acute neck pain or neck pain with radiating pain or upper limb symptoms;
- Neck pain with sensory or motor disturbance;
- Prior cervical spine surgery or congenital abnormalities;
- Experiencing medical dispute litigation;
- Have received acupuncture in last 30 days;
- In need of analgesic, muscle relaxant, hormones, or bearing greater pain from another area;
- Allergic to metal or adhesive tape, or carrying cardiac pacemaker, or skin damaged at selected acupoints;
- Disable to communicate or critically ill;
- Drug or alcohol dependent;
- Currently or planning to be pregnant.
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Electro-thumbtack Needle Therapy (ETN) group
Sham Electro-thumbtack Needle Therapy (ETN) group
Electro-thumbtack needles (0.25×2 mm) will be inserted into acupoints of Dazhui (GV14), bilateral Wangu (GB12), bilateral cervical Jiaji (at C4 and C6 level), two Ashi points and bilateral Houxi (SI3) after sterilization. Then apply the gel electrodes and stimulation devices, turn on the device to produce a proper electric stimulation that the participant can tolerate.
Sham electro-thumbtack needles (0.25×0.2 mm) which are specially produced have blunt tips instead of sharp needle tip. They will be taped on acupoints of Dazhui (GV14), bilateral Wangu (GB12), bilateral cervical Jiaji (at C4 and C6 level), two Ashi points and bilateral Houxi (SI3) after sterilization. Then apply the gel electrodes and stimulation devices, produce a minimal level of electric stimulation for 30 seconds before turning off the device.