Patient-controlled transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for chronic cancer pain and quality of life

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

Adults with histologically confirmed cancer and chronic cancer-related pain will receive either active PC-TEAS or a sham TEAS intervention while researchers track quality of life and pain-related outcomes over the treatment period. Outcomes include pain scores, analgesic consumption, emotional measures, spontaneous bowel movements, and adverse events to capture both efficacy and tolerability. The protocol supports home-based, patient-controlled use of the device to reflect real-world self-management. Findings aim to provide objective evidence on whether PC-TEAS can be a practical adjunct to usual care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 80 years, regardless of gender;
* Diagnosis of primary or metastatic malignant tumor confirmed by histopathology and/or cytology, consistent with the American Cancer Society criteria for malignancy;
* Presence of cancer-related pain, defined as an average Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 2 over the preceding week or current regular use of opioid analgesics;
* Life expectancy ≥ 3 months;
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) score ≤ 2, stable vital signs, clear consciousness, intact pain perception, unimpaired communication, ability to cooperate with study procedures and complete assessments;
* Provision of signed informed consent by the patient or their legal guardian after comprehensive explanation of the study;

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pain not attributable to cancer;
* Severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction or respiratory depression;
* Implantation of cardiac pacemaker or metallic implants at stimulation sites;
* Local skin lesions or conditions unsuitable for TEAS at the acupoint sites;
* Severe psychiatric disorders or significant cognitive impairment;
* Concurrent participation in other clinical trials that may interfere with the outcome evaluation of this study;
* Previous history of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS);

Where it's running

• The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicinal University
  Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yi Liang, PhD
• Email: liangyiwww@126.com
• Phone: +86-571-86633328

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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.