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Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain with Myofascial Pain Syndrome

This study is looking at how acupuncture affects chronic low back pain (pain lasting more than 3 months) caused by myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a muscle pain disorder. You would receive either real acupuncture or sham acupuncture (a treatment that looks and feels like acupuncture but doesn't penetrate the skin) for eight weeks. Researchers will use total-body PET/CT imaging (a type of scan that shows how your body's cells are working) at the beginning and end of the study to see if acupuncture changes how your muscles are working. They will also ask about your pain and how well you can do daily activities. The goal is to see if acupuncture helps reduce pain and improve function, and if the scans can show these changes in your muscles.

Study design
This is a randomized, blinded study involving 64 adults. Participants will be assigned by chance to either receive real acupuncture or sham acupuncture.
What's involved
You would receive acupuncture or sham acupuncture up to three times per week for eight weeks. You would also have total-body PET/CT scans at the start and end of the study, and complete questionnaires about your pain and function.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain and scan results will be measured at 8 weeks after your last treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07494162

Imaging Metabolic and Perfusion Changes in Acupuncture Therapy for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
University of California, Davis
~64 participants
Updated 2026-06-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:AcupunctureSham AcupunctureTotal-Body PET/CT Imaging

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in PEG score from Baseline to 8 weeks
Measured over Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)
Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)

Explore related trials

Chronic low back painMyofascial pain syndrome

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Abhijit J Chaudhari, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, Davis

Who to contact

Clinical Research Coordinator Team
[email protected]
916-731-9004
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ability to understand the purposes and risks of the trial and willingness to sign an informed consent form
Willingness and ability to comply with all protocol required procedures
Willingness to be randomized to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture
Current self-report of chronic low back pain (cLBP) which has persisted for the past 3 months AND has resulted in pain on \> 50% of days in the past 6 months
At least one palpable nodule or taut band in paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, or gluteal muscles
Reproduction of the patient's dominant pain with palpation of a muscle nodule or taut band
Predominantly paramedian pain (may be uni-lateral or bi-lateral)
Willing and able to lay motionless in a supine position at least twice, preferably thrice: 70-minute TB-PET/CT scan
Willing and able to fast for at least 6 hours before and for the duration of the TB-PET/CT scan
Willing to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the TB-PET/CT scan visit
Willingness to practice effective contraception during the study.

Exclusion

No Primary Care Physician
History of spine infection (discitis or osteomyelitis) or spine tumor
History of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus
Confounding conditions that are known to be responsible for inducing pain
Implants at or in the region of the sites of interest
Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months
Cauda equina syndrome or lumbar radiculopathy with functional motor deficit (strength\<4/5 on manual motor testing)
Spinal implants (including fixation hardware, spinal cord stimulator, intra-thecal pumps, that are present in the region of the sites of interest)
Predominantly central pain
Pain below the knee
Positive straight leg raise test
Symptomatic hip arthritis
Uncontrolled claustrophobia
Pregnant or lactating participants
Body weight more than 225 kg (496 pounds) due to the weight limitation of the scanner bed
Prisoners
Inability to speak, read, and write in the English language
Concurrent or prior enrollment in a separate research study involving a PET scan performed within the last 12 months for research purposes only.

What this trial measures

  • Change in PEG score from Baseline to 8 weeksBaseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

    Change in PEG (Pain intensity, Enjoyment of life, General activity) score from baseline to 8 weeks. The PEG is a 3-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing pain intensity and pain interference with enjoyment of life and general activity. Higher scores indicate worse pain severity and interference. This is the primary clinical endpoint.

  • Change in Standardized Uptake Values in Myofascial Regions of Interest on TB-PET/CT from Baseline to 8 weeksBaseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

    Change in standardized uptake values (SUV) in predefined myofascial regions of interest as measured by total-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (TB-PET/CT) from baseline to 8 weeks. This is the primary imaging endpoint.