Ultrasound-guided acupotomy compared with a sham procedure for ankylosing spondylitis
Tests ultrasound-guided acupotomy against a sham procedure in adults with ankylosing spondylitis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: A Randomized Trial of Ultrasound-Guided Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Key facts
- Where
- Henan, ChinaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 75 years old?
Source: NCT07578220, who can take part
Where in China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese MedicineHenan, ChinaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT07578220
- Record updated
- 15 October 2026
- Original description
This study employs a randomized controlled trial methodology to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified acupotomy technique in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Through ultrasound-guided localization, the operative sites are assessed to clarify the improvement effect of the modified acupotomy on disease activity in AS patients. The aim is to enhance the clinical outcomes of AS, provide evidence-based medical support for acupotomy treatment of AS, and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for the condition.Read full original descriptionShow less
Ultrasound-Guided Acupotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Protocol for a Participant- and Assessor-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial
This study employs a randomized controlled trial methodology to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified acupotomy technique in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Through ultrasound-guided localization, the operative sites are assessed to clarify the improvement effect of the modified acupotomy on disease activity in AS patients. The aim is to enhance the clinical outcomes of AS, provide evidence-based medical support for acupotomy treatment of AS, and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for the condition.
Inclusion: Meeting the 1984 revised New York criteria or the 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis; Aged 18-75 years; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAl) score ≥4; Provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion: Complete spinal ankylosis, severe spinal deformity, previous spinal surgery, or spinal trauma affecting the target treatment area; Use of biologic agents, targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs), conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), systemic corticosteroids, or other immunomodulatory therapies within the previous month; Previous acupotomy treatment at the target anatomical site within the previous 3 months; Presence of other autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases that may affect outcome assessment, including psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis; Severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, severe hepatic or renal dysfunction, malignancy, coagulation disorders, or other conditions considered unsuitable for the intervention; Cognitive impairment or communication difficulties that may affect outcome assessment; Known metal allergy or severe fear of acupotomy procedures; Pregnancy or breastfeeding.