Effect of TEAS on pain and survival after liver surgery

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Chronic Pain and Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy: a Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · West China Hospital · NCT06406244

This study tests if a special electrical treatment can help reduce pain and improve survival for people having liver surgery for cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment524 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorWest China Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Chengdu)
Trial IDNCT06406244 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in reducing postoperative chronic pain and improving survival rates in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either TEAS or a sham treatment, with TEAS applied before and after surgery at specific acupoints. The study will follow patients to assess chronic pain, quality of life, and survival outcomes at 3 and 6 months post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

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

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce chronic pain and improve survival rates for patients undergoing liver surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with TEAS in managing pain, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Chengdu

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Liver Cancer

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.