Using electrical stimulation to reduce opioid use after laparoscopic surgery
Effect of Whole-process Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Opioid Consumption After Gastrointestinal Laparoscopic Surgery: a Prospective, Randomised, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Study
This study tests if using electrical stimulation after laparoscopic surgery can help patients use less opioids for pain relief.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 128 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Trial ID | NCT06024200 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reducing opioid consumption following gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery. Participants will receive standard multimodal analgesia, and those in the experimental group will also undergo electrical stimulation at specific acupoints, while the control group will receive a sham stimulation. The study aims to determine if this additional treatment can lead to lower opioid requirements post-surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older scheduled for elective laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery with a BMI between 18.5 and 28.
Not a fit: Patients with local skin infections, severe CNS diseases, or those requiring intensive care post-surgery may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce opioid consumption and associated side effects in postoperative patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of electrical stimulation for pain management is an emerging field, similar studies have shown promising results in reducing opioid use, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18 years or older; * scheduled for elective laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery； * informed consent； * American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Grades I-III； * body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 kg/m2 and 28 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * local skin infection, incision or scar near the study acupoints; * nerve damage in upper or lower limbs; * participation in other clinical trials that influence the evaluation of the results of this study; * inability to understand the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score or disagreeing with the use of patient controlled analgesia; * presence of a pacemaker; * patients with severe CNS diseases or severe mental disorders; * operations requiring enterostomy or converts to laparotomy; * patients who need to be transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment after surgery.
Where this trial is running
Guangzhou, Guangdong
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Guoxin Li, M.D.,Ph.D. — Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
- Study coordinator: Guoxin Li, M.D.,Ph.D.
- Email: gzliguoxin@163.com
- Phone: +86 13802771450
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.