Acupoint Stimulation Improves Postoperative Wound Pain

N/AEnrolling By InvitationNCT06978335

Cheng-Hsin General Hospital72 enrolled

Overview

Postoperative pain remains one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by surgical patients. Poorly managed postoperative pain can impede recovery, reduce patient willingness to mobilize, increase the risk of complications, and negatively affect overall quality of life. Currently, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary pharmacological strategies for managing postoperative pain. However, these medications often carry the risk of adverse effects and may not adequately address all aspects of patient comfort and recovery. In response to this challenge, this study aims to evaluate the effects of a non-pharmacological, non-invasive intervention-acupoint stimulation-on postoperative wound pain and mobilization in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute to the development of more diversified and patient-centered pain management strategies, with the expectation that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine will lead to improved patient care and enhanced postoperative recovery.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Abdominal Surgeries Pain Acupuncture Points

Interventions

Acupoint StimulationOTHER

This intervention involves acupoint stimulation and auricular acupressure. Stimulation of selected body acupoints is administered by trained personnel following a standardized protocol. The intervention is provided once daily for three consecutive days, beginning post-surgery. For auricular acupressure, additional auricular points are chosen based on the involved abdominal organ and its corresponding viscera-meridian locations on the auricle. Vaccaria seeds are applied to the selected points with adhesive patches, and patients are instructed to apply pressure to the points regularly throughout the day.

Sham Acupoint StimulationOTHER

Participants in this group will receive a sham acupoint stimulation procedure. Acupoint stimulation will be using identical procedures to the experimental group, without applying pressure. No stimulation or manipulation was performed. The frequency and timing of the sham intervention matched that of the experimental group.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Surgical wound length ≥ 10 cm * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I to III * Receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) * Clear consciousness and ability to communicate * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of arrhythmia * Implanted artificial cardiac pacemaker * Cutaneous lesions at the acupoint or auricular application sites * History of chronic pain or abdominal surgery within the past 6 months * Non-ambulatory status prior to surgery

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The primary analysis will focus on changes in pain intensity over time between the two groups.

Time frame: At 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Pain Impact Assessed by Brief Pain Inventory - Taiwan Version (BPI-Taiwan)

The Brief Pain Inventory - Taiwan version (BPI-Taiwan) will be used to assess the impact of pain on various aspects of daily functioning. Total and subscale scores will be analyzed to evaluate differences in pain interference between the two groups.

Time frame: On postoperative Day 3