Shoulder PainNCT06939309
Efficacy of Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain Based on Remote Point Selection According to the Meridians
A study testing Acupuncture and Rehabilitation in people with Shoulder Pain and Acupuncture, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
This double blind randomized controlled trial investigates the immediate efficacy of acupuncture for shoulder pain using remote point selection based on meridian theory. A total of 90 participants with shoulder pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥ 4) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Shoulder Pain, Acupuncture, Meridians
- What is being tested?
- Acupuncture and Rehabilitation
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 18 Apr 2025to 30 Jun 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must be at least 18 years old.
- Shoulder pain persisting for at least one week.
- Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4.
Who cannot join
- Patients with cervical radiculopathy or other localized neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
- Psychiatric disorders that may interfere with examination, treatment, or evaluation of disease progression.
- Pregnant patients.
- Inability to provide informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Taiwan1 site
Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare
Taichung, 403
Shih-Liang Yang, +886-4-22294411 ext. 6102, YSL451YSL@yahoo.com.tw
Shih-Liang Yang
About this study
This double blind randomized controlled trial investigates the immediate efficacy of acupuncture for shoulder pain using remote point selection based on meridian theory. A total of 90 participants with shoulder pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥ 4) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: acupuncture SC, acupuncture CS, and rehabilitation. Meridian selection will be determined based on the patient's most painful shoulder movement and corresponding pain location, followed by standardized distal acupoint application. Outcome measures include changes in pain intensity (NRS) and shoulder range of motion assessed at baseline, post-first acupuncture, post-second acupuncture, and 30 minutes post-treatment. Blinded evaluators will conduct all assessments. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meridian-based remote acupuncture and explore its relationship with shoulder movement patterns and soft tissue involvement.
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Acupuncture, Meridians
- Being tested
- Acupuncture, Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- Shoulder pain, Acupuncture, Meridians
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AcupunctureProcedure or surgery
In this study, both the acupuncture SC group and the acupuncture CS group will receive two acupuncture treatments in one session. The SC group will first receive acupuncture at the standardized acupoint followed by the controlled acupoint, while the CS group will first receive acupuncture at the controlled acupoint followed by the standardized acupoint.
RehabilitationProcedure or surgery
Participants will complete a 30-minute rehabilitation session, which includes electrotherapy and thermotherapy applied to the shoulder.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture SC Group | Experimental | The most affected meridian is determined based on location and movements. The physician first applies acupuncture to one standardized acupoint (LI10, TE7, SI7, or LU6) on the most affected meridian. After 3 minutes (3 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the first evaluation. The physician then applies acupuncture to a controlled acupoint (PC6) not directly related to shoulder function. After another 5 minutes (8 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the second evaluation. The final evaluation is conducted 30 minutes after the first acupuncture. The patient is instructed to perform shoulder movements throughout the treatment. Receives: Procedure: Acupuncture |
| Acupuncture CS Group | Experimental | The most affected meridian is determined using the same method by location and movements. The physician first applies acupuncture to the controlled acupoint (PC6). After 3 minutes, the assessor performs the first evaluation. The physician then applies acupuncture to one standardized acupoint (LI10, TE7, SI7, or LU6) on the most affected meridian. After another 5 minutes (8 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the second evaluation. The final evaluation is conducted 30 minutes after the first acupuncture. The patient is instructed to perform shoulder movements throughout the treatment. Receives: Procedure: Acupuncture |
| Rehabilitation Group | Active comparator | Participants will complete a 30-minute rehabilitation session, followed by an outcome assessment. Receives: Procedure: Rehabilitation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS: 0-10)
Patients will be asked to rate their pain intensity using a numerical scale. 0: No pain. 1-3: Mild pain - the patient feels pain but can tolerate it; normal daily activities and sleep are not disturbed.
4-6: Moderate pain - the pain is noticeable and difficult to tolerate; sleep may be disturbed, such as waking up due to pain; patients may request pain medication.
7-10: Severe pain - the pain is intense and intolerable; sleep is severely disturbed or impossible; pain medication is often necessary.
Measured: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Range of Motion
A goniometer will be used to measure the range of motion of the affected shoulder joint in the following movements: flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation.
Measured: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Apr 2025
- Study start18 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Shoulder PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by China Medical University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06939309
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CMUH113-REC3-192
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 15 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional policy and data privacy considerations. The study data include sensitive health information that cannot be fully de-identified, and there are currently no resources allocated for managing data sharing requests.
Publications
Chandran KP, Chandran PP, Arumugam N, Muthappan S. Effect of Remote and Local Acupuncture Points on Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Comparative Study. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2021 Feb 28;14(1):13-20. doi: 10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.1.13.
PubMed 35770597Chen IW, Liao YT, Tseng H, Lin HC, Chou LW. Pain, function and peritendinous effusion improvement after dry needling in patients with long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy: a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Ann Med. 2024 Dec;56(1):2391528. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2391528. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
PubMed 39140690Takakura N, Takayama M, Kawase A, Kaptchuk TJ, Kong J, Vangel M, Yajima H. Acupuncture for Japanese Katakori (Chronic Neck Pain): A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Dec 9;59(12):2141. doi: 10.3390/medicina59122141.
PubMed 38138244Calamita SAP, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, De Melo NC, Fumagalli MA, Amorim CF, de Paula Gomes CAF, Politti F. Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Pain in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018 Mar-Apr;41(3):208-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.09.006.
PubMed 29549891Ben-Arie E, Kao PY, Lee YC, Ho WC, Chou LW, Liu HP. The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Sep 25;2020:9790470. doi: 10.1155/2020/9790470. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 33062030Green S, Buchbinder R, Hetrick S. Acupuncture for shoulder pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;2005(2):CD005319. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005319.
PubMed 15846753Schroder S, Meyer-Hamme G, Friedemann T, Kirch S, Hauck M, Plaetke R, Friedrichs S, Gulati A, Briem D. Immediate Pain Relief in Adhesive Capsulitis by Acupuncture-A Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Study. Pain Med. 2017 Nov 1;18(11):2235-2247. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnx052.
PubMed 28371868
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain Based on Remote Point Selection According to the Meridians
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06939309
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMUH113-REC3-192
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Acupuncture, Meridians
- Keywords
- Shoulder pain, Acupuncture, Meridians
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Apr 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.
This double blind randomized controlled trial investigates the immediate efficacy of acupuncture for shoulder pain using remote point selection based on meridian theory. A total of 90 participants with shoulder pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥ 4) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: acupuncture SC, acupuncture CS, and rehabilitation. Meridian selection will be determined based on the patient's most painful shoulder movement and corresponding pain location, followed by standardized distal acupoint application. Outcome measures include changes in pain intensity (NRS) and shoulder range of motion assessed at baseline, post-first acupuncture, post-second acupuncture, and 30 minutes post-treatment. Blinded evaluators will conduct all assessments. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meridian-based remote acupuncture and explore its relationship with shoulder movement patterns and soft tissue involvement.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture SC Group | Experimental | Procedure: AcupunctureThe most affected meridian is determined based on location and movements. The physician first applies acupuncture to one standardized acupoint (LI10, TE7, SI7, or LU6) on the most affected meridian. After 3 minutes (3 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the first evaluation. The physician then applies acupuncture to a controlled acupoint (PC6) not directly related to shoulder function. After another 5 minutes (8 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the second evaluation. The final evaluation is conducted 30 minutes after the first acupuncture. The patient is instructed to perform shoulder movements throughout the treatment. |
| Acupuncture CS Group | Experimental | Procedure: AcupunctureThe most affected meridian is determined using the same method by location and movements. The physician first applies acupuncture to the controlled acupoint (PC6). After 3 minutes, the assessor performs the first evaluation. The physician then applies acupuncture to one standardized acupoint (LI10, TE7, SI7, or LU6) on the most affected meridian. After another 5 minutes (8 minutes after the first acupuncture), the assessor performs the second evaluation. The final evaluation is conducted 30 minutes after the first acupuncture. The patient is instructed to perform shoulder movements throughout the treatment. |
| Rehabilitation Group | Active comparator | Procedure: RehabilitationParticipants will complete a 30-minute rehabilitation session, followed by an outcome assessment. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Participants must be at least 18 years old.
- Shoulder pain persisting for at least one week.
- Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients with cervical radiculopathy or other localized neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
- Psychiatric disorders that may interfere with examination, treatment, or evaluation of disease progression.
- Pregnant patients.
- Inability to provide informed consent.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AcupunctureIn this study, both the acupuncture SC group and the acupuncture CS group will receive two acupuncture treatments in one session. The SC group will first receive acupuncture at the standardized acupoint followed by the controlled acupoint, while the CS group will first receive acupuncture at the controlled acupoint followed by the standardized acupoint. | Procedure or surgery | Acupuncture CS Group, Acupuncture SC Group |
| RehabilitationParticipants will complete a 30-minute rehabilitation session, which includes electrotherapy and thermotherapy applied to the shoulder. | Procedure or surgery | Rehabilitation Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS: 0-10)
Time frame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
Patients will be asked to rate their pain intensity using a numerical scale. 0: No pain. 1-3: Mild pain - the patient feels pain but can tolerate it; normal daily activities and sleep are not disturbed. 4-6: Moderate pain - the pain is noticeable and difficult to tolerate; sleep may be disturbed, such as waking up due to pain; patients may request pain medication. 7-10: Severe pain - the pain is intense and intolerable; sleep is severely disturbed or impossible; pain medication is often necessary.
1 secondary outcome
Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.
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 24 Apr 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 35770597Chandran KP, Chandran PP, Arumugam N, Muthappan S. Effect of Remote and Local Acupuncture Points on Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Comparative Study. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2021 Feb 28;14(1):13-20. doi: 10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.1.13.
- Results publication: PubMed 39140690Chen IW, Liao YT, Tseng H, Lin HC, Chou LW. Pain, function and peritendinous effusion improvement after dry needling in patients with long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy: a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Ann Med. 2024 Dec;56(1):2391528. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2391528. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
- Results publication: PubMed 38138244Takakura N, Takayama M, Kawase A, Kaptchuk TJ, Kong J, Vangel M, Yajima H. Acupuncture for Japanese Katakori (Chronic Neck Pain): A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Dec 9;59(12):2141. doi: 10.3390/medicina59122141.
- Results publication: PubMed 29549891Calamita SAP, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, De Melo NC, Fumagalli MA, Amorim CF, de Paula Gomes CAF, Politti F. Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Pain in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018 Mar-Apr;41(3):208-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.09.006.
- Results publication: PubMed 33062030Ben-Arie E, Kao PY, Lee YC, Ho WC, Chou LW, Liu HP. The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Sep 25;2020:9790470. doi: 10.1155/2020/9790470. eCollection 2020.
- Results publication: PubMed 15846753Green S, Buchbinder R, Hetrick S. Acupuncture for shoulder pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;2005(2):CD005319. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005319.
- Results publication: PubMed 28371868Schroder S, Meyer-Hamme G, Friedemann T, Kirch S, Hauck M, Plaetke R, Friedrichs S, Gulati A, Briem D. Immediate Pain Relief in Adhesive Capsulitis by Acupuncture-A Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Study. Pain Med. 2017 Nov 1;18(11):2235-2247. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnx052.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional policy and data privacy considerations. The study data include sensitive health information that cannot be fully de-identified, and there are currently no resources allocated for managing data sharing requests.
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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.
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 and Rehabilitation in people with Shoulder Pain and Acupuncture, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
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 3 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 24 Apr 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 Taiwan. 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 Shih-Liang Yang (+886-4-22294411 ext. 6102, YSL451YSL@yahoo.com.tw), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS: 0-10) (time frame: Baseline evaluation before intervention. First evaluation: 3 minutes after the first acupuncture. Second evaluation: 3 minutes after the second acupuncture (8 minutes after the first). Final evaluation: 30 minutes after the first acupuncture.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06939309, which also lists 7 linked publications.
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 24 Apr 2025.