Using electrical stimulation to reduce cough after lung cancer surgery

Director of Oncology Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Not applicable Interventional First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · NCT06548711

This study is testing whether a new electrical treatment can help lung cancer patients reduce their cough after surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment84 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06548711 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation (TAES) in alleviating postoperative cough in lung cancer patients. A total of 120 patients who have undergone lung cancer surgery will be enrolled and monitored for changes in cough symptoms using various scoring systems. The study employs a prospective, randomized, blind, and controlled design to ensure robust evidence for the treatment's efficacy and safety. Data will be collected and analyzed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of TAES in improving patients' quality of life post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 80 who have undergone radical lung cancer surgery and have experienced persistent dry cough for at least two weeks.

Not a fit: Patients with acute respiratory diseases, pneumonia, or severe systemic conditions may not benefit from this treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a non-pharmacological option to significantly improve cough symptoms and quality of life for postoperative lung cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of TAES for postoperative cough is novel, similar non-pharmacological interventions have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 80 years old - Surgery performed under general anesthesia for radical resection of lung cancer or lung cancer resection combined with lymph node dissection.
* Pathological confirmation of primary lung cancer after surgery.
* Duration of persistent dry cough after lung surgery ≥2 weeks.
* Consciousness, ability to express opinions clearly, and voluntary signing of informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients diagnosed with acute respiratory system diseases within 1 month.
* Patients diagnosed with pneumonia based on chest X-ray.
* Patients with a history of asthma or tuberculosis.
* Patients with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, severe hypertension, heart disease, systemic infection, coagulation disorders (hypercoagulable state or bleeding tendency), or other severe systemic diseases.
* Patients who have used steroid drugs within the past 3 months.
* Patients who have taken angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) within the past 6 months.
* Patients with surgical incisions, skin allergies, wounds, or infections in the treatment area.
* Patients who cannot tolerate transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation or withdraw during the procedure.
* Patients with contraindications to transcutaneous electrical stimulation or implanted electrophysiological devices.
* Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Where this trial is running

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality

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 Postoperative CoughLung Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.