Can acupuncture replace painkillers for facial nerve pain?

NCT ID NCT06977932

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether electroacupuncture (a type of acupuncture with mild electric pulses) can reduce pain in people with trigeminal neuralgia, a condition causing severe facial pain. 126 participants will either get real electroacupuncture or a sham version, while continuing their usual medication. The goal is to see if electroacupuncture can offer a safer alternative to carbamazepine, which can cause addiction and other side effects.

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 drug-free option to manage trigeminal neuralgia pain with fewer side effects.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with only 126 participants. The sham acupuncture group may also show some benefit, making it hard to prove real effect.

Disclaimer Read more

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

Study contacts

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.