Ear needles may soothe dry eyes, small study suggests
NCT ID NCT06876077
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether auricular acupuncture (tiny needles on the ear) can relieve dry eye symptoms in university students. Fifty students with dry eyes received either real ear acupuncture or a sham version, plus artificial tears, for four weeks. Researchers measured symptom changes using standard eye questionnaires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- auricular acupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug option for managing dry eye discomfort.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 50 students, so results may not apply to everyone. The sham control helps, but benefits could be modest or due to placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Medical Center HCMC - Branch no.3
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, 700000, Vietnam
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