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NCT Number: NCT07781176

Different Acupoint Stimulation for Postoperative Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Primary Liver Cancer Patients

Brief Summary (Plain Language) The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate and compare the effects of four different intervention measures on preventing and managing postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with primary liver cancer. The four measures include herbal acupoint application, transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation, the combination of the above two acupoint stimulation methods, and routine clinical nursing. This study aims to provide scientific evidence for the clinical application of acupoint stimulation therapies in postoperative rehabilitation of liver cancer patients.

The main research question of this study is whether acupoint stimulation interventions can effectively improve postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in primary liver cancer patients. The primary outcome measure is the time to first postoperative anal exhaust, which is a core indicator to reflect the recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery.

By comparing the differences in gastrointestinal recovery among the four groups, this trial will clarify the optimal acupoint intervention scheme to prevent and relieve postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in primary liver cancer patients, so as to improve patients' postoperative rehabilitation quality.

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Key information

Conditions

Primary Liver Cancer Adenocarcinoma Carcinoma Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Digestive System Diseases Digestive System Neoplasms Liver Diseases Liver Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients diagnosed with primary liver cancer scheduled for initial partial hepatectomy or laparoscopic partial hepatectomy.
  • Aged between 18 and 75 years old.
  • Clear consciousness and ability to communicate in writing.
  • Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy.
  • Patients with adhesive plaster allergy or allergic constitution.
  • Patients with local skin damage, infection or dermatitis at acupoint sites.
  • Patients with cognitive dysfunction.
  • Patients complicated with preoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction or with a history of gastrointestinal surgery.
  • Patients undergoing associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS).
  • Patients transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery.
  • Patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers.

Treatment and study plan

Acupoint application

Other

Intervention starts after the patient returns to the ward with stable vital signs on the surgery day. Herbal patches composed of Natrii Sulfas, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis are applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (LI4). Each application lasts 6 hours, once a day until the first anal exhaust. Relevant observations are recorded during the process.

TAES

Device

Treatment begins on the surgery day when vital signs stabilize after returning to the ward. Electrodes are placed on bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (LI4) for transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation with 2/100 Hz dense-disperse waves. Current ranges from 1 mA up to patient's maximum tolerance (no more than 10 mA), 30 minutes per session once daily. Treatment data is recorded accordingly.

Combined intervention

Other

Initiated after stable vital signs on the surgery day. Receive transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation first, then herbal acupoint application. The specific operation standards are the same as the above two groups, performed once daily until the first anal exhaust.

Routine care

Other

Patients receive standard postoperative routine nursing care only. No additional acupoint-related interventions are provided throughout the study period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Time to first postoperative flatus

    Time frame: Perioperative, from the end of surgery until the first postoperative flatus occurs

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time to first defecation

    Time frame: Perioperative

  2. Incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction

    Time frame: Within 7 days after surgery

Other outcomes

  1. Incidence and severity of postoperative intestinal obstruction

    Time frame: Within 14 days after surgery

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Yan Zhu, Master of Nursing

CONTACT

[email protected]

+86 18701869040

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Application of Different Acupoint Stimulation Methods in the Prevention and Management of Postoperative Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Patients With Primary Liver Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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