UMIN-ICDS Clinical Trial

Unique ID issued by UMIN UMIN000061568
Receipt number R000070446
Scientific Title Immediate effects of electroacupuncture on prefrontal cortex function, mood, and pain in major depressive disorder with pain: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Date of disclosure of the study information 2026/05/15
Last modified on 2026/05/14 14:36:24

* This page includes information on clinical trials registered in UMIN clinical trial registed system.
* We don't aim to advertise certain products or treatments


Basic information

Public title

Immediate effects of electroacupuncture for depressed patients with pain: An fNIRS study

Acronym

BEAT-fNIRS

Scientific Title

Immediate effects of electroacupuncture on prefrontal cortex function, mood, and pain in major depressive disorder with pain: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Scientific Title:Acronym

BEAT-fNIRS

Region

Japan


Condition

Condition

Major depressive disorder

Classification by specialty

Psychiatry

Classification by malignancy

Others

Genomic information

NO


Objectives

Narrative objectives1

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immediate effects of acupuncture on brain activity in depressed patients with pain, by measuring changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Specifically, the study aims to: (1) evaluate changes in prefrontal cortex activity during acupuncture stimulation; (2) examine changes in brain activity during the Verbal Fluency Task (VFT), as well as subjective pain and mood, before and after acupuncture; and (3) clarify the correlations between prefrontal cortex activity changes and various clinical indicators.

Basic objectives2

Safety,Efficacy

Basic objectives -Others


Trial characteristics_1


Trial characteristics_2


Developmental phase



Assessment

Primary outcomes

Difference in the mean change of Oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex

Key secondary outcomes

Changes in Oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex and the number of words generated during the VFT
Changes in pain intensity
Changes in mood states
Correlations between changes in Oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex and clinical indicators


Base

Study type

Interventional


Study design

Basic design

Cross-over

Randomization

Randomized

Randomization unit

Individual

Blinding

Open -no one is blinded

Control

Placebo

Stratification


Dynamic allocation


Institution consideration


Blocking


Concealment



Intervention

No. of arms

2

Purpose of intervention

Treatment

Type of intervention

Maneuver

Interventions/Control_1

Electroacupuncture

Interventions/Control_2

Minimal acupuncture

Interventions/Control_3


Interventions/Control_4


Interventions/Control_5


Interventions/Control_6


Interventions/Control_7


Interventions/Control_8


Interventions/Control_9


Interventions/Control_10



Eligibility

Age-lower limit

18 years-old <=

Age-upper limit

65 years-old >

Gender

Male and Female

Key inclusion criteria

1) Men and women aged 18 to 64 years.
2) Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) and structured interview using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.).
3) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score of 8 or higher.
4) Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 30 mm or higher.

Key exclusion criteria

1) Comorbidity of other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
2) History of cerebrovascular disease, malignant tumor, head injury, or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
3) Pregnant women, lactating women, or women of childbearing potential who may be pregnant.
4) Severe suicidal ideation.
5) Substance dependence or drug abuse.
6) Contraindications to electroacupuncture.
7) Previous experience of acupuncture treatment within the past month.
8) Individuals judged to be inappropriate for inclusion in the study by the principal investigator or sub-investigator.

Target sample size

26


Research contact person

Name of lead principal investigator

1st name Koji
Middle name
Last name Matsuo

Organization

Saitama Medical University Hospital

Division name

Department of Psychiatry

Zip code

350-0495

Address

8 Morohongo, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan

TEL

049-276-1214

Email

kmatsuo@saitama-med.ac.jp


Public contact

Name of contact person

1st name Yuto
Middle name
Last name Matsuura

Organization

Saitama Medical University Hospital

Division name

Department of Oriental Medicine

Zip code

350-0495

Address

8 Morohongo, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan

TEL

049-276-1214

Homepage URL


Email

matsuuray@tau.ac.jp


Sponsor or person

Institute

Saitama Medical University

Institute

Department

Personal name



Funding Source

Organization

The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine

Organization

Division

Category of Funding Organization

Other

Nationality of Funding Organization



Other related organizations

Co-sponsor


Name of secondary funder(s)



IRB Contact (For public release)

Organization

Institutional Review Board of Saitama Medical University Hospital

Address

Morohongo 38, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan

Tel

049-276-1354

Email

matsuuray@tau.ac.jp


Secondary IDs

Secondary IDs

NO

Study ID_1


Org. issuing International ID_1


Study ID_2


Org. issuing International ID_2


IND to MHLW



Institutions

Institutions



Other administrative information

Date of disclosure of the study information

2026 Year 05 Month 15 Day


Related information

URL releasing protocol


Publication of results

Unpublished


Result

URL related to results and publications


Number of participants that the trial has enrolled


Results


Results date posted


Results Delayed


Results Delay Reason


Date of the first journal publication of results


Baseline Characteristics


Participant flow


Adverse events


Outcome measures


Plan to share IPD


IPD sharing Plan description



Progress

Recruitment status

Preinitiation

Date of protocol fixation

2026 Year 05 Month 25 Day

Date of IRB


Anticipated trial start date

2026 Year 09 Month 01 Day

Last follow-up date

2029 Year 03 Month 31 Day

Date of closure to data entry


Date trial data considered complete


Date analysis concluded



Other

Other related information



Management information

Registered date

2026 Year 05 Month 14 Day

Last modified on

2026 Year 05 Month 14 Day



Link to view the page

Value
https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000070446