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Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT06978335

Acupoint Stimulation Improves Postoperative Wound Pain

Postoperative pain remains one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by surgical patients. Poorly managed postoperative pain can impede recovery, reduce patient willingness to mobilize, increase the risk of complications, and negatively affect overall quality of life. Currently, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary pharmacological strategies for managing postoperative pain. However, these medications often carry the risk of adverse effects and may not adequately address all aspects of patient comfort and recovery.

In response to this challenge, this study aims to evaluate the effects of a non-pharmacological, non-invasive intervention-acupoint stimulation-on postoperative wound pain and mobilization in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute to the development of more diversified and patient-centered pain management strategies, with the expectation that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine will lead to improved patient care and enhanced postoperative recovery.

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Key information

Conditions

Abdominal Surgeries Acupuncture Points Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cheng Hsin General Hospital

Taipei, Peitou Dist, 112, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Surgical wound length ≥ 10 cm
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I to III
  • Receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA)
  • Clear consciousness and ability to communicate
  • Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of arrhythmia
  • Implanted artificial cardiac pacemaker
  • Cutaneous lesions at the acupoint or auricular application sites
  • History of chronic pain or abdominal surgery within the past 6 months
  • Non-ambulatory status prior to surgery

Treatment and study plan

acupoint stimulation

Other

This intervention involves acupoint stimulation and auricular acupressure. Stimulation of selected body acupoints is administered by trained personnel following a standardized protocol. The intervention is provided once daily for three consecutive days, beginning post-surgery. For auricular acupressure, additional auricular points are chosen based on the involved abdominal organ and its corresponding viscera-meridian locations on the auricle. Vaccaria seeds are applied to the selected points with adhesive patches, and patients are instructed to apply pressure to the points regularly throughout the day.

Sham Acupoint Stimulation

Other

Participants in this group will receive a sham acupoint stimulation procedure. Acupoint stimulation will be using identical procedures to the experimental group, without applying pressure. No stimulation or manipulation was performed. The frequency and timing of the sham intervention matched that of the experimental group.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: At 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-surgery

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The primary analysis will focus on changes in pain intensity over time between the two groups.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Impact Assessed by Brief Pain Inventory - Taiwan Version (BPI-Taiwan)

    Time frame: On postoperative Day 3

    The Brief Pain Inventory - Taiwan version (BPI-Taiwan) will be used to assess the impact of pain on various aspects of daily functioning. Total and subscale scores will be analyzed to evaluate differences in pain interference between the two groups.

Other outcomes

  1. Total Analgesic Consumption Within 72 Hours After Surgery

    Time frame: Within 72 hours after surgery

    This outcome evaluates whether acupoint stimulation reduces the need for postoperative analgesics.

  2. Time to First Ambulation After Surgery

    Time frame: Within 72 hours after surgery

    Time from completion of surgery to the first successful ambulation will be recorded. Recorded as an indicator of overall postoperative mobility and functional recovery.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cheng-Hsin General Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acupoint Stimulation Intervention Improves Postoperative Wound Pain and Mobility in Patients With Abdominal Surgery

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 18, 2025
Registry last updated
May 28, 2025

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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