Efficacy of Electroacupuncture for the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a severe complication of herpes zoster (HZ), representing an important burden of disease in the elderly. Electroacupuncture (EA) has become growingly appreciated as a therapy of PHN with the situation that effectiveness of conventional therapy of PHN is less than ideal. Owing to its low price, no side effects, high safety and high patients acceptance, EA has been used in treating PHN more frequently. Therefore, the randomized controlled trial which is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EA in patients with PHN and whether EA could be an alternative therapy of medication is needed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 88 patients with PHN will be recruited from 2 hospitals and randomized assigned to EA group or Medication group in a 1:1 ratio, utilizing a central randomization system. The trial will involve a 4-week treatment period, and a 4-week follow-up period. All variables will be evaluated at week 0 (baseline), week 2 (treatment), week 4 (treatment), week 8 (follow-up) and week 16 (follow-up). Primary outcomes will be pain intensity. Secondary outcomes will contain quality of life, mood state and sleep quality. All adverse effects will be assessed during the trial. CONCLUSION: This study will provide significant evidence that whether EA therapy is effective and safe for patients with PHN and whether EA could be an alternative therapy of medication. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital (No. 2021KAO43). Informed consent will be signed before enrolment. Results of this trial will be presented to international journals for publication and be reported in relevant international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This protocol has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial registry with the identification code ChiCTR2100054592.