Can acupuncture stop the gag? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT07664826
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether acupuncture at specific points on the chin, wrist, and foot can reduce the gag reflex in 30 healthy volunteers. Participants will receive acupuncture at different points in random order, and researchers will measure how far a saliva injector can be inserted before gagging starts. A second part will test if numbing cream blocks the effect.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Acupuncture (needling at acupoints CV24, PC6, and K3)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to help people with a strong gag reflex during dental or medical procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study in healthy volunteers, not patients. The effect may not apply to real-world medical settings or last long.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University Medicine of Greifswald
RECRUITINGGreifswald, 17475, Germany