Evaluating Acupuncture Before and After Lung Cancer Surgery to Improve Sleep and Reduce Long-Term Pain

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether acupuncture at specific body points before and after surgery can improve sleep quality and reduce chronic postoperative pain in adults undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung cancer resection. This randomized, single-blind trial compares real acupuncture with sham acupuncture as an addition to standard care. The goal is to see if this approach can help with sleep disturbances and long-term pain after surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The acupuncture group receives manual acupuncture at four bilateral acupoints HT7, PC6, ST36, KI6 on the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and the first postoperative night. Needles are inserted to a specific depth, retained for 30 minutes, and stimulated manually every 10 minutes. The sham acupuncture group receives a placebo procedure using non-penetrating needles at the same points and schedule, mimicking the real acupuncture without skin penetration or sensation. Both groups receive standard perioperative care. During the study, participants will have their sleep quality assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale on postoperative days 1, 2, and at hospital discharge days 3 to 5. Researchers will also monitor chronic pain during the hospital stay and up to six months after surgery. Assessments include pain ratings and monitoring for any adverse events. The total participation duration includes the perioperative period and a follow-up of up to six months post-surgery.

Effectiveness of Perioperative Percutaneous Acupuncture on Postoperative Sleep Disturbances and Chronic Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Cancer Resection: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blind, Superiority Controlled Trial