Efficacy of Three-Needle Dazhui and Electroacupuncture for Cervical Spondylosis With Wind-Cold Syndrome
Three-Needle Dazhui Combined With Electroacupuncture for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy and Wind-Cold Syndrome: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial Evaluating Pain and Neck Disability
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
74 participants
Jun 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
Simplified for easier understanding
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Interventions
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.
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.
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).
Locations(1)
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NCT07640126