Deze pagina is automatisch vertaald en de nauwkeurigheid van de vertaling kan niet worden gegarandeerd. Raadpleeg de Engelse versie voor een brontekst.

Effect of Single Facial Acupuncture on Dermal Structure and Appearance Satisfaction (FRA)

17 juni 2026 bijgewerkt door: Jen-Tang Sun, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Effects of Single-Session Facial Acupuncture on Dermal Structure and Aesthetic Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial Combining High-Frequency Ultrasound and Patient-Reported Outcomes

This study aims to investigate the effects of a single session of facial rejuvenation acupuncture on skin structure and personal satisfaction with facial appearance. As facial aging involves complex changes in muscles, skin, and soft tissues, facial acupuncture is considered a potential minimally invasive treatment to help restore balance and promote tissue repair.

Researchers will enroll 60 healthy adults aged 30 to 60 who are concerned about facial aging. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group will receive one session of facial acupuncture at the start of the study. The control group will continue their normal daily skincare routine for 6 weeks, after which they will receive the same single acupuncture treatment.

All participants will be monitored weekly for 6 weeks. The research team will use non-invasive tools, including high-frequency skin ultrasound, 3D facial scanning, and a digital complexion analysis system, to objectively measure changes in skin thickness, facial volume, and wrinkles. Participants will also complete questionnaires at various time points to share their satisfaction with their appearance, self-confidence, and quality of life.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Werving

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Facial aging is a complex, multi-layered process involving cranial bone resorption, fat pad redistribution, and biomechanical imbalances within the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) and facial expression muscles. While conventional aesthetic treatments like botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, and surgical facelifts are effective, they are associated with potential limitations such as expression stiffness, vascular risks, high costs, and extended recovery times. Consequently, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative designed to promote endogenous tissue repair with minimal downtime.

The potential physiological mechanisms of FRA include: regulating myofascial tension by targeting specific expression muscles to restore biomechanical balance; initiating a wound-healing cascade via micro-trauma to stimulate collagen synthesis; and enhancing local microcirculation through axon reflexes. Despite its growing clinical popularity, most existing research focuses on the cumulative effects of 5 to 10 sessions, leaving a significant gap in understanding the temporal dynamics of a single intervention. It remains unclear whether a single FRA session produces only a short-term "Cinderella effect" or initiates a sustained tissue remodeling process. Furthermore, previous studies have heavily relied on subjective assessments rather than objective quantification.

To address these gaps, this single-blind, randomized, waitlist-controlled trial aims to systematically evaluate the short-to-mid-term biological effects of a single FRA session over a 6-week period. Sixty eligible adults (aged 30-60) will be randomly allocated via sealed envelopes to an intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group receives a single comprehensive FRA treatment at Week 0, targeting 20 specific anatomical structures across the neck, jaw, perioral, cheek, periorbital, and fascial regions to release ligament adhesions and adjust muscle tension. The control group maintains routine non-invasive skincare for 6 weeks before receiving a compensatory FRA treatment. To establish robust evidence, objective multi-modal imaging and assessments will be conducted weekly for all participants.

These tools include:

1.High-Frequency Skin Ultrasound (DUB Cutis): To measure changes in dermal thickness and assess collagen density via echogenicity.

2.3D Facial Scanning (Morpheus 3D): To quantify mid-to-lower face soft tissue volume changes and evaluate lifting effects via curved length measurements. 3.Digital Skin Analysis (VISIA): To objectively assess wrinkle depth, quantity, and overall skin surface texture.

In parallel with objective imaging, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) will track subjective changes in appearance satisfaction, self-confidence, and quality of life. Data collected across the 7 time points (Baseline to Week 6) will be analyzed using Linear Mixed Models (LMM) to evaluate the dynamic trends and interactions of the treatment effects over time.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

60

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Locaties

  • Taiwan
      • Taipei, Taiwan, 114
        • Werving
        • Neihu Lixin TCM Clinic
        • Contact:

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Ja

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 30 to 60 years old. Individuals concerned about facial aging issues.
  • Individuals without severe chronic diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant women.
  • Individuals with coagulation disorders.
  • Individuals with a keloid constitution or tendency for abnormal scarring.
  • Individuals with acute or chronic facial hemiplegia/paralysis of any cause.
  • Individuals who have undergone facial cosmetic surgery or cosmetic injections within the past 6 months.
  • Individuals currently taking anticoagulant medications.
  • Individuals with active skin infections.
  • Individuals with a history of severe allergies.
  • Individuals otherwise deemed unsuitable for facial acupuncture by the investigators.

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Enkel

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: Single FRA
Participants randomized to this arm will receive a single, comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) session at Week 0. The treatment targets 20 key anatomical structures, including facial and neck muscles, as well as specific ligaments, to balance myofascial tension and stimulate tissue repair. Following the single intervention, participants will use only routine non-invasive skincare (moisturizer/lotion) and undergo weekly assessments using ultrasound, 3D scanning, and digital complexion analysis for 6 weeks.
Procedure: Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA)
This intervention consists of a single, comprehensive session of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA). The procedure targets 20 specific anatomical structures across the neck, jaw, perioral, cheek, periorbital, and upper face regions. The acupuncturist uses specific needling techniques (e.g., flat, oblique, and deep insertions) to balance myofascial tension-relaxing hypertonic muscles (such as the corrugator and masseter) and stimulating hypotonic muscles (such as the zygomaticus major/minor). Additionally, ligament release techniques are applied to vertical and horizontal retaining ligaments to stimulate tissue remodeling. The intervention is administered once at Week 0 for the experimental arm, and once at Week 6 for the waitlist control arm.
Andere namen:
  • Single-Session Facial Acupuncture
  • Cosmetic Acupuncture
  • Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
  • FRA
Geen tussenkomst: Waitlist Control Group
Participants randomized to this arm will not receive any active treatment during the primary 6-week study period. They are instructed to maintain their routine non-invasive daily skincare (using only basic moisturizer or lotion). During these 6 weeks, they will undergo the same weekly assessments as the experimental group. After the Week 6 assessments are completed, participants in this waitlist group will receive a compensatory single session of the same Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) provided to the experimental arm.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change in Dermal Thickness
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Measured as the change in thickness (in µm) from the sub-epidermis to the upper margin of the subcutaneous fat layer using high-frequency skin ultrasound (DUB Cutis). This objective metric reflects the microstructural changes and extracellular matrix remodeling stimulated by the intervention.
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change in Facial Volume and Contour
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Measured as the difference in mid-to-lower face soft tissue volume (in cc) and changes in lifting curved length (e.g., from tragus to the corner of the mouth) using 3D facial scanning (Morpheus 3D Scanner).
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Change in Skin Density
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Assessed by analyzing the change in dermal echogenicity using a high-frequency skin ultrasound (DUB Cutis). Echogenicity is measured quantitatively as the pixel density, reported in percentage (%)
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Change in Wrinkle Depth
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Quantified measurement of wrinkle depth using a digital complexion analysis system (VISIA). Reported in millimeters (mm).
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Change in Wrinkle Quantity
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Quantified measurement of the absolute number of wrinkles using a digital complexion analysis system (VISIA). Reported as a count.
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Change in Patient-Reported Appearance Satisfaction
Tijdsspanne: Assessed using the FACE-Q Satisfaction with Appearance Scale. Higher scores indicate a better outcome (greater satisfaction with appearance).
Assessed using standardized questionnaires to evaluate the patient's subjective changes in appearance satisfaction, self-confidence, and quality of life/social function scores.
Assessed using the FACE-Q Satisfaction with Appearance Scale. Higher scores indicate a better outcome (greater satisfaction with appearance).
Change in Skin Surface Smoothness
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Quantified measurement of overall skin surface smoothness using a digital complexion analysis system (VISIA). Reported in Absolute Score where a higher value indicates smoother skin.
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Change in Quality of Life
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6
Description: Assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (greater negative impact on quality of life).
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Medewerkers

Neihu Lixin TCM Clinic

Publicaties en nuttige links

De persoon die verantwoordelijk is voor het invoeren van informatie over het onderzoek stelt deze publicaties vrijwillig ter beschikking. Dit kan gaan over alles wat met het onderzoek te maken heeft.

Algemene publicaties

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Werkelijk)

11 juni 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

31 augustus 2027

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

31 augustus 2027

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

11 juni 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

17 juni 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

24 juni 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

24 juni 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

17 juni 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juni 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • 115070-F

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Beschrijving IPD-plan

We do not plan to share Individual Participant Data (IPD) with other researchers. According to the approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol and informed consent form, all participant data will be strictly de-identified and managed under the principle of minimum necessary use. The data will be securely stored on encrypted drives accessible only to authorized research team members. To protect participant privacy and strictly comply with data protection regulations, individual-level data will not be made publicly available, nor will it be shared for secondary research purposes outside the scope of this specific trial.

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

Deze informatie is zonder wijzigingen rechtstreeks van de website clinicaltrials.gov gehaald. Als u verzoeken heeft om uw onderzoeksgegevens te wijzigen, te verwijderen of bij te werken, neem dan contact op met register@clinicaltrials.gov. Zodra er een wijziging wordt doorgevoerd op clinicaltrials.gov, wordt deze ook automatisch bijgewerkt op onze website .

Abonneren