A pragmatic randomised controlled trial finds TCM collaborative care reduces spinal pain in axial spondyloarthritis, indicating potential therapeutic benefit.
Objectives: This pragmatic randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) collaborative model of care (TCMCMC) in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Here, we present the week 6 analysis.Methods: Patients with active axSpA (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BAS-DAI] 4), spinal pain 4 and inadequate response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were randomised to receive either usual rheumatologic care (control) or TCMCMC (intervention, ie, usual rheumatologic care with TCM consultations and 10 acupuncture sessions).Spinal pain at week 6 was the primary outcome.Evaluation of other clinical and quality of life outcomes at week 6 was exploratory.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kwan et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: