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Clinical trial Recruiting at 8 sites Interventional Ages 18 to 80

TEAS after gastrectomy to aid recovery after laparoscopic stomach cancer surgery

Official title: Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Gastrointestinal Recovery and Pain Control After Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial (GISSG+2402)

Run by The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University · NCT07898293 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A randomized trial tests whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) after laparoscopic gastrectomy helps people recover faster and with less pain compared with a sham treatment.

More Stomach Neoplasms trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment104 (estimated)
SponsorThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University
Academic / other
Locations8 sites (Qingdao, Shandong and 7 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 7, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT07898293 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults 18–80 with resectable stage I–III gastric cancer scheduled for laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, without major comorbidities or prior acupoint stimulation within 1 month.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe comorbidities, implanted electronic devices, or those needing long-term opioid therapy or with contraindications to TEAS 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 multicenter study will enroll adults with resectable stage I–III gastric cancer scheduled for laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Participants are randomized to receive either real TEAS or a sham, non-active version of TEAS for 30 minutes daily on postoperative days 1–3, starting 2 hours after surgery. TEAS uses surface pads placed on specific acupoints to deliver electrical pulses, with all participants receiving standard postoperative care. The trial will assess early gut recovery (time to first flatus), pain levels, and need for additional pain medications. The design is prospective, randomized, and sham-controlled at eight hospitals in Shandong Province, aiming to enroll 104 participants.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, TEAS could speed recovery after surgery and reduce postoperative pain and reliance on pain medications.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research on TEAS for surgical recovery has shown potential benefits in other procedures, but evidence in gastric cancer surgery remains exploratory.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 to 80 years, both sexes
* Endoscopically and radiographically confirmed resectable stage I-III gastric
* cancer (AJCC 8th edition)
* Scheduled to undergo laparoscopic radical gastrectomy
* Willing to sign the informed consent form and able to comply with all study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status ≥ IV
* Clinical stage IV gastric cancer
* Severe hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, or cerebrovascular diseases, or uncontrolled psychiatric disorders that may affect compliance or safety assessment
* Participation in another clinical trial or receipt of any form of acupoint stimulation (acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TEAS, etc.) within 1 month prior to enrollment
* Continuous use of opioids for more than 3 months prior to enrollment, with a daily dose ≥ 30 mg oral morphine equivalent
* Implanted cardiac pacemaker or other electronic stimulation device, or skin infection/lesion at the stimulation site
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Emergency surgery due to bleeding, perforation, obstruction, etc.
* Planned epidural anesthesia for the surgery

Where it's running

  • Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital
    Qingdao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • The Third People's Hospital of Qingdao
    Qingdao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Qingdao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • Qingdao Chengyang District People's Hospital
    Qingdao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • The People's Hospital of Jimo, Qingdao
    Qingdao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • The People's Hospital of Rizhao
    Rizhao, Shandong, China     Recruiting
Show 2 more locations
  • Weifang People's Hospital
    Weifang, Shandong, China     Recruiting
  • Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital
    Yantai, Shandong, 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.
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Gastric Cancer (GC) 30Stomach Neoplasms 32The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University 19
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.