Cutaneous resonance stimulation to reduce preoperative anxiety in cardiac surgery patients

Randomized, Single-blind Pilot Study Assessing the Effect of Cutaneous RESonance Stimulation on SYMPAthetic and Parasympathetic Tone and Anxiety in Patients Admitted for Cardiac Surgery

Observational Hospices Civils de Lyon · NCT07070986

This pilot will test whether gentle skin stimulation called cutaneous resonance stimulation can shift autonomic balance and lower anxiety in adults scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment62 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospices Civils de Lyon Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bron)
Trial IDNCT07070986 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-blind, randomized pilot compares cutaneous resonance stimulation (RESC) with a control skin stimulation (NSCS) in patients awaiting planned cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Anxiety will be measured by self-report scales (STAI-E, VAS) and by heart rate variability metrics derived from RR intervals, including HF, LF, and the LF/HF ratio as markers of parasympathetic and sympathetic tone. Patients with preoperative anxiety above prespecified thresholds are randomized before surgery and studied perioperatively. The protocol excludes urgent cases, atrial fibrillation, inability to complete questionnaires, prior use of alternative anxiety methods, and pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults scheduled for elective cardiac surgery requiring extracorporeal circulation who have elevated preoperative anxiety (STAI-E > 30 or VAS anxiety > 6), can consent and complete questionnaires, and are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing urgent surgery, those in atrial fibrillation, those unable to complete anxiety questionnaires, those already using other alternative anxiety methods, and pregnant or breastfeeding women are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple, non-drug way to reduce preoperative anxiety and potentially lower postoperative pain and complications.

How similar studies have performed: Other nonpharmacologic interventions like relaxation, massage, and hypnosis have reduced preoperative anxiety and altered HRV in prior work, but cutaneous resonance stimulation is a novel technique with limited direct prior evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Planned cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation
* Pre operatory anxiety : STAI-E score \>30 or Visual Analogue Scale Anxiety \>6

Exclusion Criteria:

* Urgent surgery
* Atrial fibrillation
* Impossibility to answer to STAI-E or VAS
* Use of alternative method
* Use of an alternative method other for anxiety before inclusion
* Absence of consent
* Pregnant, breastfeeding women.

Where this trial is running

Bron

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions AnxietyCardiac surgeryPainRESC
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.