Using ear acupoint therapy to improve recovery after knee surgery

The Role of Auricular Acupoint Diagnosis and Therapy in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery of Total Knee Arthroplasty Based on Real World Study

Observational Peking Union Medical College · NCT06273488

This study tests if ear acupoint therapy can help people recover better after knee surgery by reducing pain, inflammation, and anxiety.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment86 (estimated)
Ages50 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorPeking Union Medical College Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing)
Trial IDNCT06273488 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in enhancing recovery for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It aims to address postoperative inflammation, pain, functional recovery, surgical scar repair, and patient anxiety and satisfaction. By integrating traditional Chinese medicine techniques, the study seeks to improve the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for TKA patients. The approach is observational and focuses on the safety and efficacy of ear acupoint therapy in a clinical setting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 50-80 with knee osteoarthritis who are scheduled for total knee arthroplasty.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbidities or ear conditions that contraindicate auriculotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved recovery outcomes and reduced postoperative complications for knee surgery patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of auriculotherapy is gaining interest, this specific application in TKA recovery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 50-80 years old, no gender limit;
2. Meet the late diagnostic criteria for knee osteoarthritis and meet the surgical indications for TKA;
3. The patient's auricles of both ears are intact
4. The subject/guardian makes it clear that the patient will choose to go to a medical consortium hospital for standardized medical treatment after surgery.

   Repeat treatment.
5. Subjects/guardians can understand the purpose of the trial and show sufficient compliance with the trial protocol,and signed the informed consent form (ICF).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Suffering from severe arrhythmia, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epilepsy, mental illness sick;
2. The patient's ears are damaged, red, swollen, bleeding, infected, etc. and have contraindications that are not suitable for auricular acupoint diagnosis and treatment.
3. Patients with knee varus \>15° or valgus before surgery;
4. Other circumstances in which the researcher deems it inappropriate to participate in this clinical trial.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing

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 AuriculotherapyArthroplasty, Replacement, KneeEnhanced Recovery After Surgery
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.