Chronic sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation Sciatica Acupuncture
Conditions
Interventions
Participants in this group will receive thread embedding acupuncture with absorbable polydioxanone threads at 10 specific acupoints on the affected side. The procedure will be performed once every two
Experimental Procedure/Surgery,Active Comparator Procedure/Surgery
TEA,EA
Sponsors
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged between 18 and 65 years. 2. Diagnosed with unilateral sciatica lasting more than 3 months due to lumbar disc herniation compressing the S1 nerve root, confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). 3. Moderate to severe radiating leg pain with an NRS score of 4 or higher. 4. Willing to participate and having provided written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Lumbar disc herniation with sequestered fragments identified on MRI. 2. Nerve root compression causing weakness, paralysis, or muscle atrophy. 3. Cauda equina syndrome identified on MRI. 4. Sciatica not caused by lumbar disc herniation (e.g., spinal stenosis, tumor, spondylolisthesis, vertebral fracture, piriformis syndrome). 5. Severe spinal diseases (e.g., spondylolisthesis, fracture, tumor, tuberculosis, spondylitis). 6. History of lumbar spine surgery. 7. Systemic inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis). 8. Unstable or untreated severe health conditions (e.g., end-stage renal disease, severe hepatic impairment, NYHA class IV heart failure). 9. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs within two weeks prior to enrollment. 10. Alcohol abuse or substance addiction. 11. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. 12. History of allergy, anaphylaxis, or contraindications to thread embedding and electroacupuncture (e.g., severe cachexia, skin infection at acupoints, allergy to absorbable threads). 13. Current use of anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorders. 14. Participation in another clinical trial.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in radiating leg pain intensity At baseline, week 2, and week 4 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in lumbar pain intensity At baseline, week 2, and week 4 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS),Change in disability level At baseline, week 2, and week 4 Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire,Number of 500 mg paracetamol tablets used weekly At week 2 and week 4 Patient self-reported diary,Patient's global assessment of treatment efficacy At week 4 Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale,Patient satisfaction with treatment At week 4 100mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS),Adverse event During four weeks Patient interviews, medical records, and clinical observations | — |
Countries
Vietnam
Contacts
Public ContactCuong Thai
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
Outcome results
None listed