Study of Acupuncture and Moxibustion to Improve Motor Symptoms in Early Parkinsons Disease in Adults Aged 30 to 80

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the clinical effects and safety of acupuncture combined with moxibustion in improving motor symptoms for patients with early-stage Parkinsons Disease PD. This study aims to assess changes in UPDRS scores to understand how these therapies may affect PD symptoms. Additionally, the study explores objective factors influencing acupunctures effectiveness and investigates brain activity changes using functional MRI. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives acupuncture and moxibustion therapy at specific points three times a week for eight weeks, alongside their regular PD medication which remains unchanged. The other group undergoes sham acupuncture and sham moxibustion treatments at non-acupuncture points on the same schedule, also continuing their usual PD medications. Throughout the study, participants will be evaluated at baseline, after the 8-week treatment, and at 8 weeks post-treatment week 16. Assessments include motor symptom scores MDS-UPDRS part III and II, rigidity and bradykinesia ratings VAS scores, overall PD symptom scales, quality of life questionnaires PDQ-39, sleep and mood scales PDSS, SDS, SAS, and functional MRI scans. Researchers will monitor changes and subgroup factors like age, gender, and disease severity to understand treatment impact and safety over the study period.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Motor Symptoms in Early Parkinson's Disease