Acupuncture first? new study tests stepped care for pain
NCT ID NCT07454083
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This observational study will track 300 adults with non-cancer pain who receive acupuncture as part of routine care. Researchers want to see how many patients get at least 50% pain relief within up to 8 visits. The study does not test a new treatment—it simply observes what happens in real-world practice.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could provide evidence that an acupuncture-first approach is effective for managing pain in routine care, potentially reducing reliance on medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study with no comparison group, so results may be influenced by natural recovery or other factors. It is not a controlled trial, so it cannot prove cause and effect.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
About 300 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Mar 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The initial analytic cohort will include approximately 300 pain episodes, anticipated to be derived from 250-350 unique adult patients, recognizing that some patients may contribute more than one episode over time. Pain episodes may originate from either clinical site and are analyzed together under the same episode-based framework.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older * Patients presenting with non-cancer-related pain conditions * Patients receiving acupuncture as part of routine outpatient clinical care Exclusion Criteria: * Cancer-related pain conditions * Patients who opt out of research use of their clinical data
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Non-cancer pain,musculoskeletal pain,chronic pain,acute pain are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.