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A Randomized Trial of Ultrasound-Guided Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Sponsor: China-Japan Friendship Hospital
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.
Official title: Ultrasound-Guided Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Protocol for a Participant- and Assessor-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2025-12-02
Completion Date
2028-06-30
Last Updated
2026-09-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Ultrasound-guided acupotomy
Ultrasound-guided acupotomy will be performed once weekly for four consecutive weeks (W0-W3), for a total of four sessions. The target vertebral level and treatment sites will be identified by physical examination and ultrasound imaging. Following routine skin preparation and local anesthesia, the acupotomy needle will be advanced under real-time ultrasound guidance to the predefined interspinous and paraspinal treatment sites, where tissue release will be performed according to the standardized treatment protocol.
Sham Acupotomy
Sham acupotomy will be performed once weekly for four consecutive weeks (W0-W3), for a total of four sessions. The same preliminary procedures as those used in the experimental group will be followed, including physical examination, ultrasound localization, skin preparation, and local anesthesia. The acupotomy needle will only penetrate superficially, without advancement to the target deep tissues or performance of tissue release.
Locations (1)
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine
Henan, Zhengzhou, China