Work

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in slowing visual field loss in normal-tension glaucoma: A 24-week randomized controlled trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Background: Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a progressive optic neuropathy for which effective treatment strategies remain limited. We previously demonstrated that short-term (2-week) acupuncture can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). In this study, we investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of acupuncture on visual function and structural parameters in NTG patients. Methods: In this 24-week randomized controlled trial, 40 patients with NTG received once-weekly acupuncture at the Jingming (BL1) and Qiuhou (EX-HN7) acupoints (n=20) or sham acupuncture with Vaccaria seeds (Wang-Bu-Liu-Xing) (n=20) at the same locations. At 24 weeks, the true acupuncture group significantly improved their best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline in both the right ( p =0.0102) and left ( p =0.0128) eyes, increased retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in both eyes (right: p =0.0477; left: p =0.0208), and reduced IOP (right: p =0.0430; left: p =0.0401). No such improvements were observed with sham acupuncture. The rate of visual field deterioration was also significantly slower with true acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture ( p <0.05 for both eyes). No adverse treatment-related events were reported. This is the first clinical trial to demonstrate that long-term acupuncture may effectively preserve both structural and functional visual parameters in patients with NTG, suggesting a potential neuroprotective effect of acupuncture and supporting its role as a promising adjunctive therapy. Further validation is warranted with larger, double-blind, multicenter trials. • Long-term acupuncture slowed visual field loss in normal-tension glaucoma. • Acupuncture preserved RNFL thickness and improved visual acuity over 24 weeks. • True acupuncture reduced intraocular pressure, while sham showed no benefit. • No treatment-related adverse events were observed, indicating good safety. • Findings suggest acupuncture may offer neuroprotection as an adjunct therapy.

Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103363

Authors: Shu-Yuan Chen, Feng-Shuen Yieh, Pei-Yu Wu, Su-Yin Chiang, Ching-Liang Hsieh

Institutions: China Medical University, China Medical University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,760