Efficacy and central mechanism of acupuncture treatment in patients with neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acupuncture is effective for reducing the symptoms of neck pain (NP). However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Based on evaluating the efficacy of two acupuncture prescriptions for treating NP, this study aims to investigate the potential central mechanism of acupuncture treatment for NP by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods

This is a randomized controlled trial; 86 patients will be randomly assigned into two acupuncture treatment groups at a ratio of 1:1. The whole study period includes 2 weeks baseline, 2 weeks treatments, and 12 weeks follow-up (4 and 12 weeks after treatment). The pain severity, the neck disability index, the cervical range of motion, and the pressure pain threshold, etc., will be used to evaluate the cli

SUBMITTER: Gao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8364082 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature