Actively Recruiting
Effect of Perioperative Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Combined With Traditional Chinese Medicine on Gastrointestinal Function Recovery in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
Led by Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences · Updated on 2026-06-02
148
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
12 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
G
Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
Lead Sponsor
S
Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effect of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on recovering gastrointestinal function after abdominal surgery. This study includes patients undergoing Grade IV abdominal surgeries such as pancreas or colorectal procedures. The goal is to assess how this combined approach influences postoperative recovery aspects including pain, adverse reactions, hospital stay, complications, and overall safety, contributing to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and prehabilitation strategies. Participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving TEAS plus TCM alongside prehabilitation and ERAS protocols, or a control group receiving only prehabilitation and ERAS. TEAS is administered once daily from surgery day through postoperative day 4, targeting specific acupoints with electrical stimulation adjusted to patient tolerance. The TCM treatment involves a fixed herbal prescription given intraoperatively and postoperatively up to day 4. All patients receive the same perioperative care including exercise, nutrition, and psychological support as part of prehabilitation. During the study, researchers will monitor recovery milestones such as time to first flatus and defecation, toleration of semi-liquid and solid foods, pain levels, nausea and vomiting, time to first ambulation, hospital stay duration, readmission rates, and blood markers like white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and gastrin levels. Safety will be assessed by tracking any adverse events. The study uses a randomized design with no blinding and plans to analyze data through statistical tests comparing the two groups.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Effect of Perioperative Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Combined With Traditional Chinese Medicine on Gastrointestinal Function Recovery in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients aged over 18 years with no severe preoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction such as long-term constipation or diarrhea
- Scheduled for elective abdominal Grade IV surgeries involving liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, or intestines performed via open or laparoscopic methods
- Preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification I to III
- Patients and their families fully understand the study purpose, methods, risks, and benefits and provide signed informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Severe systemic diseases
- Local skin abnormalities at acupoints such as broken skin, infection, allergies, or scarring
- Long-term use (more than 1 month) of gastrointestinal motility drugs that cannot be discontinued, or allergies to traditional Chinese medicine components or electrode materials
- Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment that prevent compliance with the study
- Non-compliance with treatment protocols such as receiving less than 80% of planned sessions
- Significant missing data
- Severe adverse events unrelated to the study intervention
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 3 weeks (preoperative day 21 to day 1)
Participants undergo a multimodal prehabilitation program including daily exercise, a high-protein diet, and psychological support tailored to their risk profiles before surgery.
Multiple visits for exercise and therapy sessions as scheduled
Duration - From 3 days preoperative to 4 days postoperative
Participants receive perioperative interventions including oral Traditional Chinese Medicine (Da Jian Zhong Tang) twice daily from 3 days before surgery to 3 days after surgery, and Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) once daily starting 30 minutes before surgery continuing through postoperative day 4. All participants also follow Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
Daily treatment sessions for TEAS and medication administration; includes 1 longer session starting 30 minutes before surgery on surgery day
Duration - Up to 30 days postoperative
Participants are monitored for recovery including gastrointestinal function, pain, nausea, ambulation, and hospital stay up to 30 days after surgery.
Daily visits from postoperative day 1 to day 7; additional assessments up to postoperative day 30
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Guang'anmen Hospital China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100053
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Q
Quanda Liu Liu
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here