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Clinical trial No longer in our active list Interventional Ages 18 to 64

Using auricular acupuncture to reduce pain after lower leg surgery

Official title: Auricular Acupuncture As Part Of A Multimodal Analgesic Regimen For Reduction Of Opioid Analgesic Use After Surgery To Repair Lower Leg Fractures- A Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Baylor College of Medicine · NCT05984433 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study tests if adding auricular acupuncture during lower leg surgery can help patients manage pain better and use fewer opioid medications afterward.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 64 Years
SexAll
Enrollment140 (estimated)
SponsorBaylor College of Medicine
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT05984433 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-64 who are scheduled for ankle ORIF surgery and have an American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status of I, II, or III.

Probably not a fit

Patients with renal dysfunction, allergies to anesthetic agents, or communication barriers may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of incorporating intraoperative electro auricular acupuncture into a standard multimodal analgesic regimen for patients undergoing surgery to repair lower leg fractures. The goal is to determine if this approach can reduce the need for postoperative opioid medications. Patients will be monitored for pain levels and opioid consumption following their surgery. The study focuses on individuals undergoing ankle open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) at a specific hospital.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to reduced opioid use and improved pain management for patients after lower leg surgery.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of acupuncture in pain management has been explored, this specific approach combining auricular acupuncture with multimodal analgesia is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient ages 18-64
2. American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status I, II or III
3. Inpatients scheduled to undergo ankle ORIF at Harris Health System Ben Taub Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Renal dysfunction (Serum Cr \> 1.2) - excluded due to potential altered metabolism of anesthetic and perioperative medications
2. Allergy to any of the standard anesthetic agents
3. Patient inability to properly communicate with investigators (language barrier, dementia, delirium, psychiatric disorder)
4. Patient or surgeon refusal

Where it's running

  • Ben Taub Hospital
    Houston, Texas, 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.
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Pain, Postoperative 95Baylor College of Medicine 1354
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.