Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Uremic Pruritus

Launched by DALIN TZU CHI GENERAL HOSPITAL · Mar 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of laser acupuncture on a condition called uremic pruritus, which is severe itching that can occur in patients with kidney problems. In the trial, 60 patients will be divided into two groups: one group will receive actual laser acupuncture treatment three times a week for four weeks, and the other group will receive a fake treatment that doesn't have any active effects. The goal is to see if the laser acupuncture can help reduce the itching patients experience during their dialysis sessions.

To participate in the trial, patients must be at least 20 years old, have stable kidney function as measured by certain blood tests, and have been receiving dialysis three times a week for at least three months. They should not have any serious health issues, such as recent infections or certain skin conditions. If chosen for the trial, participants can expect to receive treatments during their regular dialysis visits and will be asked about their itching before and after the treatment period to measure any changes. This trial is currently recruiting participants, so if you or someone you know is interested, it may be a good opportunity to explore.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 20 years.
• • Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels \< 68 pg/mL (patients with -thyroidectomy excluded).
• • Urea nitrogen (BUN) clearance rate (Kt/V) ≥ 1.2 at each dialysis session.
• • Serum phosphate levels \< 5.5 mg/dL.
• • Receiving hemodialysis three times weekly for at least three consecutive months.
• • No history of acute illnesses like infections or cardiovascular disease.
• • Avoiding a high-phosphorus diet.
• • Adjusting dialysate calcium concentration to 8.6-10 mg/dL.
• • Replacing the artificial kidney or increasing dialysis blood flow
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnant or nursing.
• • History of photosensitivity.
• • Recent use of systemic or local medications for pruritus (e.g., immunosuppressants, opioid agonists/antagonists, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, ultraviolet B therapy).
• • Hepatobiliary dysfunction based on medical history and liver function tests.
• • Malignancies.
• • Other itchy skin conditions diagnosed by a dermatologist.
• • Wounds near acupuncture points, contraindicating laser acupuncture