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Auricular AcupressureNCT07575464

Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure Combined With Antihistamines in Patients With Wind-Heat Type Urticaria.

A study testing True Auricular Acupressure and Loratadine 10mg in people with Auricular Acupressure and Wind-Heat Urticaria, run by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City at 1 site in Vietnam.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
True Auricular Acupressure and Loratadine 10mg
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
66 participants
Where
1 siteVietnam
Study dates
1 May 2026to Jul 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

  • Diagnosed with urticaria according to the international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI 2022 guidelines.
  • Presenting typical clinical symptoms of urticaria.
  • Experiencing persistent itching and wheals, with an Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) indicating an itching and discomfort level of ≥ 1.
  • Diagnosed with the Wind-Heat syndrome according to Traditional Medicine criteria by a certified practitioner. Diagnosis requires the presence of main symptoms (persistent itchy rash, intense itching, bright red wheals) and at least 2 secondary symptoms (restlessness, feverish sensation, aversion to heat, sore throat, symptoms worsening with heat, thin yellow tongue coating, floating rapid pulse).
  • Voluntarily agrees to participate and signs the informed consent form.

Who cannot join

  • Having contraindications to auricular acupressure according to the Ministry of Health, including severe physical exhaustion or immunodeficiency.
  • Having skin infections, inflammation, or ulceration at the auricular acupoint areas.
  • Experiencing acute pain suspected to be of surgical origin or in an emergency condition.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Use of stimulants (alcohol, beer, coffee, tobacco) within 24 hours prior to the study intervention.
  • Severe cognitive impairment or inability to understand the study protocol.
  • History of allergy or hypersensitivity to second-generation H1 antihistamines.
  • Currently participating in another interventional clinical study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Huy Chung Ly, MD, PhD contact

+84989974868

lychunghuy@ump.edu.vn

Vietnam1 site
  • Department of Obstetrics, Le Van Thinh Hospital

    Ho Chi Minh City

Other trials in Vietnam

About this study

Official title: Evaluation of the Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure Combined With Antihistamines in Patients With Wind-Heat Type Urticaria

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.

Read more

The main questions the study aims to answer are:

  • Does true auricular acupressure combined with Loratadine reduce urticaria symptoms (measured by the Urticaria Activity Score - UAS) more effectively than sham acupressure with Loratadine?
  • Does the intervention improve the patients' quality of life (measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index - DLQI) better than the control treatment?
  • Are there any adverse effects associated with the auricular acupressure treatment during the intervention period?

Participants will:

  • Take a standard daily dose of oral Loratadine (10mg).
  • Visit the clinic once a week for 4 weeks to have Vaccaria seed patches applied to their ear (either true therapeutic points or sham points, depending on their assigned group).
  • Self-stimulate the acupoints by pressing the patches for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day at home.
  • Record their daily urticaria symptoms (wheals and pruritus) using the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS).
  • Complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the 4-week study period.
Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial designed to assess the therapeutic effects of auricular acupressure in patients with Wind-Heat type urticaria. The study will recruit 66 eligible patients at the Dermatology Department of Le Van Thinh Hospital. Participants will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (33 patients per group):

  • Intervention Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo true auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds (Vương bất lưu hành) will be taped to five specific acupoints: Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6), Endocrine (CO18), Adrenal (TG2), and Lung (CO14).
  • Control Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo sham auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds will be taped to five non-therapeutic points: Helix 2 (HX10), Shoulder (SF4), Eye (LO5), Clavicle (SF6), and Tooth (LO1).

Study Procedures:

  • In both groups, the auricular acupressure patches will be applied by a qualified practitioner. Patients will be instructed to stimulate the acupoints by pressing each patch for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily. The patches will remain on one ear for 7 days. At weekly follow-up visits, the old patches will be removed, and new patches will be applied to the opposite ear. The total intervention period is 4 weeks (4 sessions).

Outcome Assessments:

  • Primary Outcome: The primary efficacy measure is the reduction in clinical symptoms, assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7). Patients will self-evaluate their daily wheals and pruritus, and the total score will be recorded weekly from baseline (T0) to week 4 (T1, T2, T3, T4).
  • Secondary Outcome: The impact on the patients' quality of life will be evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. This will be assessed at baseline (T0) and at the end of the 4-week treatment period (T4).
  • Safety Monitoring: Any adverse events associated with auricular acupressure (such as local pain, bleeding, skin infection, cartilage damage, fainting, or vertigo) will be closely monitored, recorded, and managed appropriately during the 30-minute post-application observation period and throughout the 4-week study duration.
Being tested
True Auricular Acupressure, Sham Auricular Acupressure, Loratadine 10mg

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • True Auricular AcupressureProcedure or surgery

    Application of Vaccaria seed patches to therapeutic ear acupoints (Shenmen, Sympathetic, Endocrine, Adrenal, Lung) with daily self-acupressure.

  • Sham Auricular AcupressureProcedure or surgery

    Application of Vaccaria seed patches to non-therapeutic ear points (Helix 2, Shoulder, Eye, Clavicle, Tooth) to simulate the true intervention without the therapeutic effect.

  • Loratadine 10mgDrug

    Standard antihistamine therapy administered orally, 10mg once daily after breakfast.

Study groups in NCT07575464
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention GroupExperimentalPatients receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo true auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seed patches are applied to five specific therapeutic acupoints: Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6), Endocrine (CO18), Adrenal (TG2), and Lung (CO14). The patches are worn continuously, replaced weekly on the opposite ear, and patients self-press the patches 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times daily. Duration: 4 weeks.
Receives: Procedure: True Auricular Acupressure; Drug: Loratadine 10mg
Control GroupSham comparatorPatients receive the same standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo sham auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seed patches are applied to five non-therapeutic points: Helix 2 (HX10), Shoulder (SF4), Eye (LO5), Clavicle (SF6), and Tooth (LO1). The patches are worn continuously, replaced weekly on the opposite ear, and patients self-press the patches 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times daily. Duration: 4 weeks.
Receives: Procedure: Sham Auricular Acupressure; Drug: Loratadine 10mg

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7)

    The UAS7 is used to assess the severity of urticaria symptoms, specifically daily wheals (scored 0-3) and pruritus (scored 0-3). Patients self-evaluate these two symptoms every 24 hours. The daily score ranges from 0 to 6, and the UAS7 is the sum of these daily scores over 7 consecutive days, with a total possible score ranging from 0 to 42. Higher scores indicate more severe disease activity.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4.

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

    The DLQI is a 10-item questionnaire designed to measure the impact of skin disease on a patient's quality of life. Each question is scored on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (very much). The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating a greater negative impact on the patient's quality of life.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4.

  2. Incidence of Adverse Events Associated with Auricular Acupressure

    The number of participants experiencing any adverse events related to the auricular acupressure intervention, such as local pain, bleeding, skin infection, cartilage damage, or fainting (vertigo). These will be monitored continuously throughout the 4-week study period.

    Measured: Up to 4 weeks.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 May 2026
  2. Study start1 May 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJul 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJul 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Participant
Enrolment
66 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07575464
Sponsor's protocol ID
736/DHYD-HDDD
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
3 May 2026
Last updated
8 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Karimkhani C, Dellavalle RP, Coffeng LE, Flohr C, Hay RJ, Langan SM, Nsoesie EO, Ferrari AJ, Erskine HE, Silverberg JI, Vos T, Naghavi M. Global Skin Disease Morbidity and Mortality: An Update From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. JAMA Dermatol. 2017 May 1;153(5):406-412. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.5538.

    PubMed 28249066
  • El Chaer F, Ballen KK. Treatment of acute leukaemia in adult Jehovah's Witnesses. Br J Haematol. 2020 Sep;190(5):696-707. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16284. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

    PubMed 31693175
  • Palm D, Uzoni A, Simon F, Fischer M, Coogan A, Tucha O, Thome J, Faltraco F. Evolutionary conservations, changes of circadian rhythms and their effect on circadian disturbances and therapeutic approaches. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Sep;128:21-34. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.007. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

    PubMed 34102148
  • Tur E, Brenner S. Diet and pemphigus. In pursuit of exogenous factors in pemphigus and fogo selvagem. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Nov;134(11):1406-10. doi: 10.1001/archderm.134.11.1406.

    PubMed 9828876
  • Hamill ME, Collin GR, Bath JL, Boone SM, Harvey EM, Tegge AN, Sprinkel WE, Toomey SA, Collier BR, Bower KL, Wang MM, Faulks ER, Matos MA, Hamill BE, Bean SL, Nussbaum MS, Parker SH. Impact of Standardized Multidisciplinary Critical Care Training on Confidence with Critical Illness and Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Education and Multidisciplinary Care. J Intensive Care Med. 2024 Apr;39(4):320-327. doi: 10.1177/08850666231201528. Epub 2023 Oct 9.

    PubMed 37812739
  • Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, Craig T, Dreyfus D, Hsieh F, Sheikh J, Weldon D, Zuraw B, Bernstein DI, Blessing-Moore J, Cox L, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Randolph CR, Schuller DE, Spector SL, Tilles SA, Wallace D. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 May;133(5):1270-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036.

    PubMed 24766875
  • Zuberbier T, Aberer W, Asero R, Abdul Latiff AH, Baker D, Ballmer-Weber B, Bernstein JA, Bindslev-Jensen C, Brzoza Z, Buense Bedrikow R, Canonica GW, Church MK, Craig T, Danilycheva IV, Dressler C, Ensina LF, Gimenez-Arnau A, Godse K, Goncalo M, Grattan C, Hebert J, Hide M, Kaplan A, Kapp A, Katelaris CH, Kocaturk E, Kulthanan K, Larenas-Linnemann D, Leslie TA, Magerl M, Mathelier-Fusade P, Meshkova RY, Metz M, Nast A, Nettis E, Oude-Elberink H, Rosumeck S, Saini SS, Sanchez-Borges M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Staubach P, Sussman G, Toubi E, Vena GA, Vestergaard C, Wedi B, Werner RN, Zhao Z, Maurer M; Endorsed by the following societies: AAAAI, AAD, AAIITO, ACAAI, AEDV, APAAACI, ASBAI, ASCIA, BAD, BSACI, CDA, CMICA, CSACI, DDG, DDS, DGAKI, DSA, DST, EAACI, EIAS, EDF, EMBRN, ESCD, GA(2)LEN, IAACI, IADVL, JDA, NVvA, MSAI, OGDV, PSA, RAACI, SBD, SFD, SGAI, SGDV, SIAAIC, SIDeMaST, SPDV, TSD, UNBB, UNEV and WAO. The EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria. Allergy. 2018 Jul;73(7):1393-1414. doi: 10.1111/all.13397.

    PubMed 29336054
  • Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)--a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1994 May;19(3):210-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1994.tb01167.x.

    PubMed 8033378
  • Fernandes RP, Centini G, Afors K, Puga M, Alves J, Wattiez A. Standard Approach to Urinary Bladder Endometriosis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2018 Sep-Oct;25(6):955-956. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2017.12.017. Epub 2017 Dec 28.

    PubMed 29289625
  • Zhu L, Kim Y, Yang Z. The Application of Auriculotherapy to the Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018 Dec;11(6):343-354. doi: 10.1016/j.jams.2018.08.209. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

    PubMed 30195824
  • Zuberbier T, Abdul Latiff AH, Abuzakouk M, Aquilina S, Asero R, Baker D, Ballmer-Weber B, Bangert C, Ben-Shoshan M, Bernstein JA, Bindslev-Jensen C, Brockow K, Brzoza Z, Chong Neto HJ, Church MK, Criado PR, Danilycheva IV, Dressler C, Ensina LF, Fonacier L, Gaskins M, Gaspar K, Gelincik A, Gimenez-Arnau A, Godse K, Goncalo M, Grattan C, Grosber M, Hamelmann E, Hebert J, Hide M, Kaplan A, Kapp A, Kessel A, Kocaturk E, Kulthanan K, Larenas-Linnemann D, Lauerma A, Leslie TA, Magerl M, Makris M, Meshkova RY, Metz M, Micallef D, Mortz CG, Nast A, Oude-Elberink H, Pawankar R, Pigatto PD, Ratti Sisa H, Rojo Gutierrez MI, Saini SS, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Sekerel BE, Siebenhaar F, Siiskonen H, Soria A, Staubach-Renz P, Stingeni L, Sussman G, Szegedi A, Thomsen SF, Vadasz Z, Vestergaard C, Wedi B, Zhao Z, Maurer M. The international EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. Allergy. 2022 Mar;77(3):734-766. doi: 10.1111/all.15090. Epub 2021 Oct 20.

    PubMed 34536239

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing True Auricular Acupressure and Loratadine 10mg in people with Auricular Acupressure and Wind-Heat Urticaria, run by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City at 1 site in Vietnam.

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 5 inclusion and 8 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 8 May 2026. 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 Vietnam. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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 Phong Minh Cao, MD (+84336244087, cmphong.ths.yhct24@ump.edu.vn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) (time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4.). 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 NCT07575464, which also lists 11 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 8 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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