Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Combined With Pregabalin in Treating Trigeminal Herpetic Neuralgia A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Trigeminal herpetic neuralgia, a common form of Zoster-associated Pain ZAP, affects people of all ages and poses a significant burden worldwide. Researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate electroacupuncture EA as a treatment for ZAP, focusing on its effectiveness and safety compared to pregabalin. The study aims to determine if EA can be a substitute for pregabalin in managing this condition. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups a medication group taking 150 mg pregabalin capsules twice daily for 4 weeks an EA group receiving electroacupuncture treatments three times per week for 4 weeks total of 12 sessions, targeting specific acupoints on the affected side with electrical stimulation and a combined EA plus medication group receiving both treatments concurrently. Each group undergoes a 3-month follow-up period after the interventions. During the study, participants will be assessed using the Visual Analog Score at baseline, during treatment, and in follow-up visits up to 16 weeks. Additional evaluations include pain questionnaires, sleep quality scales, depression and anxiety ratings, and health surveys. Researchers will monitor safety and treatment adherence throughout the study, which lasts several months from enrollment to final follow-up assessments.

Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Combined With Pregabalin in the Treatment of Trigeminal Herpetic Neuralgia: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol