Actively Recruiting
Evaluating the Efficacy of Catgut Embedding Therapy in Pain Relief and Quality of Life Improvement for Lumbar Spondylosis With Blood Stasis Syndrome
Led by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City · Updated on 2026-05-15
66
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether catgut embedding therapy works better than electro-acupuncture to relieve chronic low back pain and improve daily physical activity in adults with lumbar spondylosis and Blood Stasis syndrome. The study aims to compare pain reduction and quality of life improvement between these two treatments, with all participants also receiving counseling on lifestyle changes and back exercises. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive catgut embedding therapy using PDO threads at specific back acupoints in two sessions at the start and at two weeks. The other group will receive electro-acupuncture at the same acupoints in 20-minute sessions, five days per week, over four weeks. Both groups receive lifestyle and exercise counseling throughout the study. Participants will visit the clinic for treatments and assessments at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks. They will complete surveys about their pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale and their functional ability with the Oswestry Disability Index. Safety will be monitored during the four-week treatment period by qualified Traditional Medicine doctors. The total study duration for each participant is four weeks.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Catgut Embedding for Lumbar Spondylosis With Blood Stasis Syndrome
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 65 years, any gender
- Confirmed diagnosis of chronic low back pain due to lumbar spondylosis with mechanical spinal pain
- Radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophytes on vertebral bodies
- No systemic symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss, or anemia
- Pain lasting more than 3 months
- Visual Analog Scale pain score greater than 40 mm
- Diagnosed with Blood Stasis syndrome based on Ministry of Health criteria
- Able to communicate fluently in Vietnamese
- Willing to participate and sign informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of neurological abnormalities in lower limbs
- Indications for spinal surgery due to severe neurological deficits
- Vertebral fractures, spinal inflammation or infection, malignant tumors, neuromuscular scoliosis, or degenerative neurological diseases
- History of hypersensitivity or adverse reactions to electro-acupuncture or catgut embedding treatments
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants receive either catgut embedding therapy or electro-acupuncture along with lifestyle and exercise counseling. Catgut embedding involves 2 sessions at Week 0 and Week 2. Electro-acupuncture involves 20-minute sessions, 5 days per week for 4 weeks.
2 visits for catgut embedding group and 20 visits for electro-acupuncture group
Duration - Up to 4 weeks post-treatment
Participants are monitored for safety and assessed for pain relief and functional recovery at Week 4 after treatment.
1 visit at Week 4
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City - Campus 3
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 72400
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Thi Thuy Hang Le, MD, Spec. I
C
Chung Huy Ly, MD, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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