Acupuncture with a jolt: new hope for shingles nerve pain?
NCT ID NCT04560361
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed trial tested whether electroacupuncture (acupuncture with a mild electric current) can reduce pain in people with postherpetic neuralgia, a lingering nerve pain after shingles. 448 adults aged 45-75 with moderate-to-severe pain were randomly assigned to real or sham electroacupuncture. The main goal was to see if pain scores dropped by at least 30%.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
electroacupuncture
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug option for managing nerve pain after shingles.
What could go wrong
The trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. Sham acupuncture may also provide some relief, making it hard to know the true effect.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Huai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Huai'an, Jiangsu, 223001, China
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Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
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Lianyungang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Lianyungang, Jiangsu, 222004, China
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Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210001, China
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Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, China
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Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Suqian, Jiangsu, 223600, China
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Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214071, China