Electroacupuncture Regulation of Immune Cells in Herpes Zoster
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Drug, Electroacupuncture.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Herpes Zoster, Electroacupuncture, Immune. Basic parameters: 50 years — 70 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
The Regulatory Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Immune Cells in Herpes Zoster
Overview
Herpes Zoster (HZ), caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), is a common infection characterized by localized pain and blistering, with higher incidence in females. HZ affects patients' physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. The immune system is critical in HZ pathogenesis. Studies show acupuncture relieves pain, modulates immunity, and may lower postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) risk. However, evidence is limited on whether electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates HZ by modulating immune cells. Using mass cytometry (CyTOF), this study will analyze peripheral immune cell changes pre- and post-EA to explore its regulatory effects on HZ immunity. This study will recruit HZ patients and healthy controls (HC), dividing patients into medication-only and medication+EA groups to assess EA's potential immunomodulatory effects in HZ treatment.
Detailed description
The study will enroll 8 HZ patients who meet the inclusion criteria and 3 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). HZ patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a medication-only group or a medication plus electroacupuncture group. All participants will receive Valacyclovir Hydrochloride tablets and Mecobalamin tablets. HZ-related immune cells in peripheral blood will be analyzed using CyTOF before treatment (day 0), during treatment (day 4), and after treatment (day 7). Pain intensity and characteristics will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. Lesion healing (time to vesicle cessation, crusting, and scab detachment) and adverse events will also be recorded to evaluate lesion regression in HZ patients.
Interventions
- Drug Drug
1\) Valacyclovir Hydrochloride tablets, 0.3 g per dose, twice daily; 2) Mecobalamin tablets, 0.5 mg, three times daily. Taken continuously for 7 days.The affected skin is kept clean and protected to maintain lesion integrity. - Procedure Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture Treatment: Needling acupoints include the Jiaji points corresponding to the spinal nerve segment of the affected area, Ashi acupoints along the affected zone, and bilateral Hegu and Waiguan points. Electroacupuncture will be performed once daily for 30 minutes per session, with a total of 7 consecutive sessions. The Jiaji and Ashi acupoints will be connected to an electroacupuncture device, set to disperse-dense wave stimulation at a frequency of 2/100 Hz, with current intensi
Primary outcome measures
- Peripheral blood immune cell levels [Time frame: Before (Day 0), during (Day 4) and after (Day 7) treatment.]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Visual Analogue Scale [Time frame: Before treatment (Day 0) and after each treatment (Day 1- Day 7).]
- Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions [Time frame: Before treatment (Day 0) and after each treatment (Day 1- Day 7).]
- Lesion Regression Time [Time frame: Before treatment (Day 0) and after each treatment (Day 1- Day 7).]
- Occurrence of adverse reactions [Time frame: During the intervention.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria for HZ:
- Meets HZ diagnostic criteria;
- Female, aged between 50 and 70 years;
- Disease duration ≤7 days, with no prior antiviral, analgesic, or other treatments;
- Herpetic lesions limited to the trunk, within 1 to 3 dermatomes;
- Willing to participate in the trial and has signed the informed consent form.
Inclusion Criteria for HC:
- No history of HZ or major cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, hematologic, endocrine, or neurological diseases;
- Age-matched female HC volunteers for the HZ group;
- Clear consciousness and ability to communicate normally;
- Fully understands the study protocol, demonstrates good compliance, and is willing to cooperate with the study;
- Has signed a written informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
- Special types of herpes zoster, including ophthalmic, otic, visceral, meningeal herpes zoster, and zoster sine herpete;
- Women who are planning to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding;
- Patients with severe primary diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, or endocrine systems, or systemic failure;
- Patients with bleeding tendencies;
- Use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants within the past month.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
China · 1 center
- The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital — Hangzhou
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06643247 · ZN-2024349-01