Acupoint Stimulation Improves Postoperative Wound Pain

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Abdominal Surgeries; Pain; Acupuncture Points

• Registration Number: NCT06978335
• Lead Sponsor: Cheng-Hsin General Hospital

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-06-19
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-11
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-22
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-28
• Primary Completion: 2025-09-30
• Study Completion: 2025-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 72

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)	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 Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Impact Assessed by Brief Pain Inventory - Taiwan Version (BPI-Taiwan)	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cheng Hsin General Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Peitou Dist, Taiwan