CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
N/ACompleted· 160 enrolled
Drug / intervention
Donepezil Hydrochloride +2 moredrug
Likely dose
Donepezil Hydrochloride 5 mgfrom record
Structured eligibility isn't available for this trial yet — see the full criteria in the Eligibility tab below.

Standardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.

Search/NCT05078944
NCT05078944N/ACompleted

Randomized, Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture on the Progression of Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian·interventional·Posted Oct 15, 2021·Updated May 22, 2026

In Brief

A clinical study evaluating Active acupuncture, Sham acupuncture, and 1 other intervention for Alzheimer Disease 1. Completed, enrolled 160 participants across 1 site.

Detailed Summary

To determine if adjunctive acupuncture acts as an AD treatment rather than a placebo.

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
CountriesChina
Collaborators--

Timeline

N/ACompletedFinished
20222023202420252026
First PostedOct 15, 2021
Enrollment StartJun 30, 2022
Primary CompletionSep 10, 2025
TodayJul 2, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 3.2 yearsPosted 4.7 years ago

Interventions

Active acupuncturedevice

Acupoints: Principal: GV20, EX-HN1, GV24 and bilateral PC6, HT7, ST36, KI3, SP6. Additional: CV6 and bilateral GB39, ST40, SP10 Sterile stainless steel disposable acupuncture needles (size 0.30 × 50 mm, Hwato brand, China) are used. After sterilization, a small plastic ring will be fixed over the acupuncture point with plaster to facilitate maintenance of blinding for the participant, and then the needle will be inserted through the plaster inside the ring. The electric stimulator (SDZ-Ⅲ electroacupuncture apparatus, Hwato brand, China) is applied to GV20, GV24, bilateral PC6 and HT7, dilatational wave, 10/50 Hz and tolerable electric current. Needles placed in other acupoints will be manually stimulated by rotation every 15 minutes. Each session lasts for 45 min.

Sham acupuncturedevice

Sham acupoints: SA1 (5 cun lateral to GV5), SA2 (5 cun lateral to GV4), SA3 (1 cun lateral to BL56). After sterilization, pragmatic placebo needles with blunt tip (size 0.30 × 50 mm, Hwato brand, China) are used. When their tips are pressed against the skin through plastic rings, participants will feel a pricking sensation. The electric stimulator is applied to bilateral SA1 and SA2 with no current output. The mental wire has been cut off with a same outlook as the electroacupuncture group. Needles placed in SA3 will be manually rotated every 15 minutes. Each session lasts for 45 min.

Donepezil Hydrochloridedrug

Donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg/capsule, Weicai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, China) is to be taken 5 mg daily.