Efficacy of the "Three-Needle Dazhui" Technique Combined With Electroacupuncture for Cervical Spondylosis With Wind-Cold Syndrome

June 8, 2026 updated by: Nguyen Hoang Ny, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the "Three-Needle Dazhui" Technique Combined With Electroacupuncture in Managing Pain and Improving Neck Disability in 74 Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy and Wind-Cold Syndrome: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial

Cervical spondylosis is a prevalent health issue that significantly impacts quality of life, with Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy (CSR) accounting for 60-70% of cases

  • While modern medicine offers various treatments, the frequent use of painkillers often leads to undesirable side effects
  • In Traditional Chinese Medicine, electroacupuncture is a safe and effective method recognized by the Ministry of Health for treating this condition
  • The "Three-Needle Dazhui" technique is a specialized acupuncture method that simultaneously uses three needles at the Dazhui (GV14) point to strongly activate Yang Qi and dispel cold, making it particularly suitable for the Wind-Cold syndrome. This study aims to evaluate whether the combination of the Three-Needle Dazhui technique and electroacupuncture yields better results in pain reduction and functional improvement compared to electroacupuncture alone in patients with cervical spondylosis and Wind-Cold syndrome.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. A total of 74 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with Wind-Cold syndrome will be recruited and randomly assigned into two groups using a block randomization method.

  • Intervention Group: Patients will receive the "Three-Needle Dazhui" technique (using three needles at specific angles and depths at the Dazhui point) combined with the standard electroacupuncture protocol authorized by the Ministry of Health and basic treatment.
  • Control Group: Patients will receive only the standard electroacupuncture protocol and basic treatment.

Treatment Procedure:

  • Both groups will undergo treatment for 14 consecutive days, with one 20-minute session per day.
  • Basic treatment includes the administration of traditional herbal medicine (Phong te thap HD New) and education on proper posture and cervical spine exercises.
  • Paracetamol (500mg) will be provided only for acute, high-intensity pain (VAS > 7/10).

Data Collection and Evaluation: Outcome measures will be assessed at three time points: T0 (baseline), T1 (after 1 week), and T2 (after 2 weeks/end of treatment). The primary and secondary outcomes include:

  1. Pain Intensity: Measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
  2. Functional Movement: Measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

2. Safety: Recording adverse events such as needle fainting, bleeding, or localized pain throughout the study period.

To ensure objectivity, evaluations will be conducted by blinded physicians who are not involved in the treatment or group allocation processes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

74

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Consent: Participants must voluntarily agree to participate and sign a written informed consent form.
  • Age: Individuals aged 18 years or older.
  • Pain Intensity: Patients with a baseline pain score of VAS ≥ 50 mm on the Visual Analog Scale.

  • Modern Medicine Diagnosis (Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy - CSR) Patients must meet the diagnostic criteria for CSR due to cervical spondylosis according to Decision 361/QD-BYT, including:

    • Cervical Spine Syndrome: Localized neck pain, restricted range of motion, and tenderness upon palpation of the spinous processes or paravertebral areas.

Radicular Syndrome: Neck pain radiating to the occipital region, shoulder, arm, or hand.

  • Physical Examination: At least one positive result from the following tests: Bell-ringer sign, Spurling's test, Shoulder abduction test, or Cervical distraction test.

  • Imaging Criteria: X-ray findings (straight, lateral, or 3/4 oblique views) showing at least one of the following:

    1. Osteophytes (bone spurs) on the vertebral body.
    2. Intervertebral disc space narrowing ≥ 25%.
    3. Subchondral bone sclerosis.
    4. Spondylolisthesis. - Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis (Wind-Cold Syndrome) Patients must satisfy at least one primary symptom and reach a total symptom score of ≥ 50% based on the following criteria:
  • Primary Symptoms: Pain in the neck and shoulder radiating to the arm accompanied by numbness; pain is the dominant feature; pain increases with cold and decreases with warmth.
  • Secondary Symptoms: Aversion to cold, aversion to wind, cold extremities, and presence or absence of sweating.
  • Tongue and Pulse: Pale tongue with a thin white coating; floating-tight or slow pulse.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of neck trauma.
  • Diagnosed with specific bone or joint diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, Down syndrome, cervical spina bifida, or Scheuermann's disease.
  • Severe motor or sensory radicular disorders: Muscle weakness or sensory disturbances such as burning, tingling, or numbness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
  • Vertebral-basilar artery syndrome: Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, loss of balance, or fatigue.
  • Autonomic nervous system disorders: Pain accompanied by tinnitus, visual disturbances, or vasomotor disorders in the occipital-shoulder region or arms.
  • Central motor neuron lesions: Presence of Hoffmann's sign, Babinski's sign, hyperreflexia, spasticity, urinary/fecal incontinence, or sexual dysfunction.
  • Symptoms suggesting systemic or malignant disease: Unexplained weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, personal or family history of malignant tumors, or diffuse pain and stiffness.
  • Symptoms suggesting infection: Fever, meningeal signs, or photophobia.
  • Symptoms suggesting serious acute medical conditions: Myocardial infarction (chest pain + sweating + shortness of breath) or arterial dissection (tearing pain sensation + headache + blurred vision).
  • Local or systemic contraindications: Infection or ulceration at the acupuncture site; patients who are exhausted, emaciated, or suffering from severe accompanying internal medical diseases.
  • Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug addiction.
  • Recent medication use (within the past month): Currently using analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs that may affect results, such as Opioids, NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, Gabapentin, Pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Other ongoing treatments: Currently undergoing other therapies such as acupressure, massage, or physical therapy for the neck area.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Standard Electroacupuncture + Standard care
The active comparator arm receives standard electroacupuncture treatment and standard care for 14 consecutive days.
Device: Standard Electroacupuncture + Standard care
Participants receive 14 daily electroacupuncture sessions (20 min/session) using sterile 0.3 × 25 mm needles with De Qi stimulation. Acupoints include GB20, GB21, Ashi points, Jiaji (C4-C7), LI10, TE5, SI3, and LI4. Electrical stimulation is delivered at 100 Hz with intensity 0-4 mA according to patient tolerance. Negative (-) poles are connected to GB20, Ashi points, and TE5; positive (+) poles to GB21, LI10, and SI3.
Drug: Standard Electroacupuncture + Standard care
Standard care: Phong te thap HD New (3 capsules twice daily), posture education, cervical exercises, and paracetamol 500 mg as rescue medication if VAS >7 (max 3 tablets/day).
Experimental: Three-Needle Dazhui" Technique Combined with Electroacupuncture + Standard care
Experimental arm receives the specialized "Three-Needle Dazhui" technique combined with electroacupuncture and standard care for 14 consecutive days.
Device: Three-Needle Dazhui" Technique Combined with Electroacupuncture + Standard care

Three sterile stainless steel needles (0.3 × 40 mm) are inserted at GV14 (Dazhui), located below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. One central needle is inserted vertically along the thoracic spine, while two lateral needles are inserted 5 mm to the left and right of the central needle and directed toward it at a 90° angle. Needles are initially inserted at 30°, then lowered to 15° to reach a depth of approximately 3 cm. Gentle manipulation is applied to obtain the "De Qi" sensation.

Standard electroacupuncture is applied at Jiaji (C4-C7), GB20, GB21, LI10, TE5, SI3, LI4, and Ashi points. Electrical stimulation is delivered at 100 Hz with an intensity of 0-4 mA according to patient tolerance for 20 minutes daily. The negative (-) pole is connected to the GV14 site, and the positive (+) pole is connected to GB21.

Drug: Three-Needle Dazhui" Technique Combined with Electroacupuncture + Standard care
Standard care: Phong te thap HD New (3 capsules twice daily), posture education, cervical exercises, and paracetamol 500 mg as rescue medication if VAS >7 (max 3 tablets/day).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score
Time Frame: Baseline (T0), 1 week (T1), and 2 weeks (T2).
A quantitative tool used to measure pain intensity on a scale from 0 to 10 points (or 0-100 mm). A score of 0 indicates "no pain," while 10 represents "unbearable pain".
Baseline (T0), 1 week (T1), and 2 weeks (T2).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neck Disability Index (NDI) Score
Time Frame: Baseline (T0), 1 week (T1), and 2 weeks (T2).
A standardized 10-item questionnaire used to evaluate the impact of neck pain on daily life. It includes categories such as personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with a total maximum score of 50 points; higher scores indicate greater disability.
Baseline (T0), 1 week (T1), and 2 weeks (T2).
Safety and Adverse Events
Time Frame: From the first treatment session up to the completion of the 14th treatment session (approximately 2 weeks)

Monitoring for any side effects related to the acupuncture procedure. This includes:

  • Local reactions: Pain, swelling, bleeding, or infection at the needle site.
  • Systemic reactions (Needle Fainting/Vựng châm): Dizziness, nausea, cold limbs, cold sweat, or hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 85 mmHg).
From the first treatment session up to the completion of the 14th treatment session (approximately 2 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 8, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 8, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 499/ĐHYD-HĐĐĐ

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared outside the research team to ensure participant confidentiality.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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