Electroacupuncture Regulation of Immune Cells in Herpes Zoster
The Regulatory Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Immune Cells in Herpes Zoster
First People's Hospital of Hangzhou
8 participants
Nov 11, 2024
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria10
- 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.
- 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 Criteria5
- 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.
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Interventions
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.
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 intensity adjusted to the patient's tolerance level.
Locations(1)
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NCT06643247