Evaluating pain relief during colonoscopy using electrical stimulation

Analysis of the Analgesic Mechanism of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Based on Wrist-ankle Acupuncture Theory During Non-anesthetized Colonoscopy Using Electroencephalogram-Functional Infrared Spectroscopy System

Not applicable Interventional First Affiliated Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University · NCT06813703

This study is testing if a special electrical stimulation can help reduce pain for people having a colonoscopy without sedation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorFirst Affiliated Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06813703 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study is a randomized controlled trial that investigates the analgesic effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation based on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (TENS-WAA) during unsedated colonoscopy. It involves 60 patients aged 18-75 with stable cardiopulmonary function and low baseline pain scores. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either TENS stimulation or a sham treatment before the procedure, while their brain activity will be monitored using EEG-fNIRS technology to assess pain perception. The goal is to understand how TENS-WAA can alleviate pain during this procedure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 who are undergoing unsedated colonoscopy and have stable cardiopulmonary function.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments, active infections, or those who have recently used sedatives or analgesics may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive method to reduce pain during colonoscopy, improving patient comfort and experience.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of TENS-WAA and EEG-fNIRS is novel, similar studies using TENS for pain management have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
1. Inclusion Criteria:

   * Patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy are eligible for inclusion in this study.
   * Aged 18 to 75 years.
   * Meeting the requirements for colonoscopy, with good cardiopulmonary function and stable vital signs.
   * A pre-procedural Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of less than 3.
2. Exclusion Criteria:

   * Participants with speech or cognitive impairments.
   * Those with acute anal or rectal stenosis, acute perianal or rectal infections, acute diverticulitis, or active inflammatory bowel disease.
   * Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
   * Patients with active tuberculosis, hemophilia, or advanced malignant tumors.
   * Individuals with sensory disturbances, implanted pacemakers or defibrillators, or ankle skin ulcers.
   * Those who have used sedatives or analgesics either long-term or within the past 24 hours.
   * Individuals with any condition that interferes with EEG-fNIRS signal acquisition, such as cranial abnormalities, implanted metal or electronic devices, epilepsy, or neurological disorders.

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

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 ColonoscopyPain
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.