Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disease during the lifespan of an individual. With an increase in dependence on computer technology, the prevalence of chronic neck pain is expected to rise, and this can lead to socioeconomic problems. We have designed the current pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with chronic neck pain. 
This 7-week clinical trial has been designed as an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms. Thirty-six patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to three treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients in the miniscalpel acupuncture and combined treatment groups will receive three session of miniscalpel acupuncture over a 3-week period. Patients in the NSAIDs and combined treatment groups will receive zaltoprofen (one oral tablet, three times a day for 3 weeks). 

Treatment

This 7-week clinical trial has been designed as an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms. Thirty-six patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to three treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients in the miniscalpel acupuncture and combined treatment groups will receive three session of miniscalpel acupuncture over a 3-week period. Patients in the NSAIDs and combined treatment groups will receive zaltoprofen (one oral tablet, three times a day for 3 weeks).

Arm Label

Target Number of Participant

Arm Type

Arm Description

Patients from the miniscalpel acupuncture will be treated with miniscalpel acupuncture for three sessions over a three week period.

Arm Label

Target Number of Participant

Arm Type

Arm Description

Patients from the combined group will be treated with miniscalpel acupuncture for three sessions over a three week period. Patients from the combined treatment group will be prescribed Zaltoprofen (one tablet to be taken orally, three times a day for three weeks. 

Arm Label

Target Number of Participant

Arm Type

Arm Description

Patients from the NSAIDs group will be prescribed Zaltoprofen (one tablet to be taken orally, three times a day for three weeks). 

Gender

Age

Description

1) men or women aged 19-75 years
2) symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness in the neck lasting for 3 months or more
3) a baseline score of ≥4 on the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain
4) provision of written informed consent

1) subjects with abnormalities in neurological functions such as cervical nerve function, deep tendon reflexes, and muscle and sensory functions
2) those with serious sensory or motor disorders requiring surgical treatment;
3) those with a history of spinal surgery or those with procedures scheduled during the study
4) those with spinal disorders, including vertebral fracture, spinal infection, inflammatory spondylitis, and malignancy, on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
5) those who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breast feeding, or refusing to consume certain forms of contraceptives
6) those with other chronic diseases that can affect the outcomes of the study interventions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, active hepatitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, and epilepsy
7) those with other severe musculoskeletal problems in areas other than the neck
8) those with serious psychiatric or psychological disorders
9) those using aspirin or anticoagulant medications
10) those with abnormal findings in blood tests for renal or hepatic function
11) those deemed ineligible by the recruiting researcher will be excluded.

Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)  

screening, week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point), and 7 (4 weeks after treatment completion)

Neck Disability Index(NDI)

week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point), and 7 (4 weeks after treatment completion)

EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D)

week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point), and 7 (4 weeks after treatment completion)

Patient Global Impression of Change(PGIC)

week 1, 2, 3 (primary end point), and 7 (4 weeks after treatment completion)