Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Effect of electrical stimulation on pain and recovery after liver surgery

Official title: Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Pain and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy:a Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by West China Hospital · NCT06341270 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a special electrical treatment can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for people having liver surgery for cancer.

More Liver Cancer trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment524 (estimated)
SponsorWest China Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 6, 2024
Main results expectedApril 20, 2026
Study endsDecember 20, 2026
Registry record updatedJuly 15, 2024
Trial IDNCT06341270 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-80 scheduled for elective hepatectomy with ASA physical status class I-III.

Probably not a fit

Patients with a history of epilepsy, chronic opioid use, or other specified exclusions may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the impact of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative pain management in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either TEAS or a sham treatment, with TEAS administered before anesthesia and on the first three days post-surgery. The stimulation will target specific acupoints and will be adjusted based on each patient's tolerance. The goal is to determine if TEAS can effectively reduce pain and improve recovery outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance pain management and recovery for patients undergoing liver surgery.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of TEAS in postoperative settings is promising, this specific application in hepatectomy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18-80 years old; ASA physical status classⅠ-Ⅲ; Patients scheduled for elective hepatectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

Have a history of epilepsy; Rash or local infection over the acupoint stimulation skin area; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Mental retardation, psychiatric, or neurological disease; Inability to comprehend the numeric rating scale (NRS); Implantation of a cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter, or defibrillator; Chronic opioid use; Metastases in other organs;

Where it's running

  • West China Hospital
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.