RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07390929

Clinical Trial Study on the Improved New Method of Acupotomy for AS

Clinical Trial Study on the Improved New Method of Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Sponsor

Henan Provincial People's Hospital

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Nov 5, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Summary

This study employs a randomized controlled trial methodology to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified acupotomy technique in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Through ultrasound-guided localization, the operative sites are assessed to clarify the improvement effect of the modified acupotomy on disease activity in AS patients. The aim is to enhance the clinical outcomes of AS, provide evidence-based medical support for acupotomy treatment of AS, and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for the condition.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 75 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Meeting the revised New York Criteria (1984) or the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (2009).
Aged 18 to 75 years old.
Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score ≥ 4 points.
Having signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria6

Complicated with other autoimmune diseases except for the research disease.
Complete ankylosis or deformity of the spine.
Pregnant or lactating women.
Complicated with severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, liver or kidney failure, malignant tumors, or coagulation disorders.
Patients whose data collection is affected by mental, language or other factors.
Patients with psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis.

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Interventions

PROCEDUREAcupotomy

All subjects were enrolled at week 0 and, after completing baseline assessments, received acupotomy treatment once per week for a total of four sessions over the initial three- week period. The core intervention for the treatment group (acupotomy group) involved ultrasound-guided precise release: first, the target vertebra with the most significant lesions was identified through palpation and ultrasound imaging, after which the acupotomy was accurately guided in real-time via ultrasound to the interspinous points (located at the interspinous ligaments) and paraspinal points (located at the intertransverse ligaments) of the target vertebra and adjacent vertebrae for release.

PROCEDURESham Acupotomy

The control group (sham acupotomy group) strictly replicated all preliminary procedures of the treatment group, including exploration, ultrasound localization, and local anesthesia. However, the acupotomy needle only pierced the epidermis without performing any release operations in the deeper tissues, thereby maintaining blinding and assessing the specific effect of the acupotomy therapy.