Acupuncture for Symptom Relief in Adults with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

Launched by GUANG'ANMEN HOSPITAL OF CHINA ACADEMY OF CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCES · Sep 24, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether acupuncture can help relieve symptoms in adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), a condition that causes inflammation in the intestines and leads to symptoms like abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea. The trial will compare the effects of real acupuncture to a sham (fake) treatment to see if acupuncture can truly make a difference for patients.

To participate, individuals must be between 18 and 70 years old and have been diagnosed with mild to moderate UC. They should also be able to provide written consent and have a specific score indicating their symptoms. However, those with certain other medical conditions, severe skin issues, or who are currently on specific medications will not be eligible. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but once it starts, those who join can expect to receive acupuncture treatment while continuing any existing UC medications they are on. This study could provide valuable information about acupuncture's role in managing ulcerative colitis symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Eligible participants are those aged 18 to 70 years who meet the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate UC, have a PRO2 score of ≥ 2 points, and provide written informed consent. Patients currently receiving oral and/or topical 5-aminosalicylic acid (such as mesalamine) may continue their treatment during the study period.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosis of Crohn's disease, intestinal tuberculosis, chronic intestinal infections, or intestinal malignancies.
• • 2. Current treatment with corticosteroids, thiopurines, biologics, or oral small molecules.
• • 3. Severe skin conditions or infections.
• • 4. Presence of severe underlying medical conditions, including but not limited to cardiovascular diseases, hepatobiliary diseases, kidney diseases, hematologic disorders, autoimmune diseases, communicable diseases, severe malnutrition, or malignancies.
• • 5. Mental illness, cognitive dysfunction, or language disorders.
• • 6. Receipt of acupuncture therapy for UC within the past month.
• • 7. Substance abuse issues.
• • 8. Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant within the next year, lactation, or being within 12 months postpartum.