Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Imagined acupuncture for postoperative pain after spine surgery

Official title: Assessing the Efficacy of Imagined Acupuncture for Postoperative Acute Pain Management in Spinal Surgery

Run by Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT07197710 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A 30-minute video-guided imagined acupuncture session delivered daily for 7 days after spine surgery is being tested to see if it helps reduce pain and opioid use for adults.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment120 (estimated)
SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 1, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 19, 2026
Study endsSeptember 19, 2026
Registry record updatedJune 8, 2026
Trial IDNCT07197710 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (18+) undergoing 1- to 2-level primary spine surgery who are able to view videos and complete assessments and provide informed consent.

Probably not a fit

Patients with revisions, multilevel (>3 levels) surgery, prior spine surgery, significant cognitive or psychiatric conditions, pregnancy, or vision impairments affecting video viewing may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares video-guided imagined acupuncture to a standard education video in adults undergoing 1-2 level primary spine surgery. Participants view a 30-minute VGAIT session once daily for seven days after surgery and complete pain and function assessments during hospitalization and after discharge. The trial aims to determine if imagery-based acupuncture can improve pain control and reduce analgesic consumption in the immediate postoperative period. The study is conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital with a lead investigator from the institution and has specific eligibility criteria related to surgery type and cognitive ability.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could offer a nonpharmacologic option to improve pain control and reduce opioid use after spine surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Imagery-based analgesic approaches have shown mixed results; this study tests a specific VGAIT method in postoperative spine patients to establish feasibility and effectiveness.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Undergoing 1- to 2-level primary spine surgery
* Aged 18 years or older
* Willing and able to receive postoperative imagined acupuncture (VGAIT)
* Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Undergoing revision surgery or procedures involving more than 3 spinal levels
* History of prior spinal surgery
* Intraoperative complications likely to interfere with postoperative pain assessment
* Diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorders that impair participation or communication
* Pregnant or breastfeeding
* Unable to cooperate with treatment or pain assessments Individuals with uncorrectable vision impairment that would interfere with viewing study videos or completing study questionnaires.

Where it's running

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    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.