Stuck-moving needle acupuncture myofascial trigger point to treat idiopathic frozen shoulder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: There are evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for chronic shoulder pain, however, it remains unclear the best acupuncture modes for effective treatment. We compared the effect of the myofascial trigger point (MTrp) stuck-moving needle acupuncture with that of common acupuncture treatments. Further, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of stuck-moving needle acupuncture for the MTrp in improving pain and range of motions in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. The aim of present study is to select an effective therapy for patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the three clinical centers of Qingyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Qingyang Xifeng district People’s Hospital, and Qingyang Second People’s Hospital in China from February 2020 to January 2021. One hundred and eight frozen shoulder patients will be recruited and randomized into one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio of the stuck-moving needle acupuncture group, common acupuncture control group, and physical exercise control group. This trial will include a 1-week baseline period, a 3-week treatment period, and a 12-week follow-up period. During the 3 weeks of the treatment period, patients will receive nine sessions of acupuncture. The primary outcome will be related to change in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and measurement of range of joint motion (ROM) from the baseline period to the 12-week follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures will include measurement of pressure pain threshold (PPT), pressure pain tolerance (PTT), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), 36-item short form survey, and patient satisfaction evaluation. Adverse events also will be recorded for safety assessment. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial will allow us to compare the difference in efficacy between stuck-moving needle acupuncture MTrP with that of common acupuncture treatments. The findings from this trial will be published in the peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Trial Registry (ChiMCTR1900002862) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900028452). Registered on 22 December 2019. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=47354