Electroacupuncture for PHN: Efficacy and Biomarker Evaluation in a Multicenter, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial Protocol

What Was Tested

In this not phased trial, researchers set out to test Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).

This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design with assessor blinding.

It had three arms (groups): Electroacupuncture group (experimental), one (active comparator) and Sham acupuncture group (sham comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as device, drug and procedure.

Who Took Part

The registry lists 207 planned participants were the target.

It was open to people of any sex aged from 20 years up to 80 years.

Healthy volunteers were not accepted; participants needed the condition being studied.

Examples of who could join: Meet the diagnostic criteria for PHN;. Age between 20 and 80 years old;. Voluntarily participate in the trial and sign the informed consent form.

The full record lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: pregnant or lactating women;; presence of severe liver or kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors, or other serious diseases;; presence of hematologic diseases or coagulation disorders;.

How the Study Was Run

The set-up was randomized, parallel-group and triple-blind.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

Groups ran in parallel: each of the participants stayed in one arm throughout.

Neither the participants nor the staff measuring them knew who was on Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), so expectations could not easily colour the readings.

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant, investigator and outcomes assessor.

It started in 2025-07-01 with completion listed for 2026-12.

It ran at 1 site in China.

Its stated primary purpose is treatment.

What Was Measured

Researchers chose this as the main measure: Assessing the participants' pain intensity by the Numerical Rating Scale (time frame: Assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 of treatment).

It also tracked 8 secondary outcomes, for example The number of pain episodes in the past 24 hours, Psychological Status Assessment: Hamilton Anxiety Scale 36 ( HAMA ), Psychological Status Assessment: Hamilton Depression Scale37 (HAMD-21), The health-related quality of participants' life is assessed by The Short-Form 36 Health Survey, Neuroregeneration Indicators: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Neuroregeneration Indicators: Substance P (SP).

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a not phased, randomized trial of Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) in 207 people.

Its status is not yet recruiting; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

More context: the Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) compound page, all human trials.