Zap away knee pain? radio waves meet acupuncture in new trial
NCT ID NCT06702046
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a painless, needle-free treatment called transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency acupuncture can reduce pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis. About 90 adults aged 45 to 85 with long-term knee pain will receive the treatment along with standard rehab. Researchers will track changes in symptoms and function over 3 months.
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.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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.
- Ages
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45 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Age from 45 to 85 year-old with knee pain for more than six months * Fulfill the combined clinical and radiographic criteria of knee OA established by the American College of Rheumatology with a Kellgren and Lawrence score of 2 or greater * Pain score above 3 (range 0-10 on the visual analog scale; higher scores indicate greater pain * Could participate in 4 weeks of treatment and 3 months of follow-up Exclusion Criteria: * Knee OA combined with any infection, inflammation, autoimmune disease, or fracture * History or underlying disease that would affect posture and balance, such as malignancy, dizziness, vertigo, or stroke * Ever underwent any type of knee operation or internal fixation * Pregnant or planning to become pregnant * Receiving other treatment for knee OA in previous 3 months * History of epilepsy, electronic devices implanted in the body * Active infection at the stimulator contact site * Lack of informed consent * Any other reason thought likely to result in inability to complete the trial
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, State, 111, Taiwan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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