TEAS for Variceal Bleeding Endoscopy in Cirrhosis (NCT07106658) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
TEAS for Variceal Bleeding Endoscopy in Cirrhosis
China180 participantsStarted 2025-07-18
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) improves procedural success and patient tolerance in cirrhotic patients undergoing urgent unsedated endoscopy for suspected variceal bleeding.
Participants with cirrhosis and suspected acute variceal bleeding requiring urgent endoscopy are randomly assigned to one of three groups:
1. Active TEAS: Electrical stimulation at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Gongsun (SP4) starting 30 minutes before endoscopy and continuing until 15 minutes after the procedure.
2. Sham TEAS: Identical electrode placement but no electrical current.
3. Control: Standard endoscopy alone without electrodes.
All patients receive topical pharyngeal anesthesia and standardized medical management. The study assesses procedural success (composite of technical adequacy and patient satisfaction), patient discomfort (visual analogue scale), procedure time, hemostasis outcomes, physiological parameters, and clinical experience measures.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Patients aged 18-80 years with suspected or confirmed esophagogastric variceal bleeding
. Scheduled for urgent endoscopy as soon as possible following hemodynamic stabilization
. Ability to provide written informed consent (directly or through legally authorized representative)
Exclusion criteria
. Hepatic encephalopathy ≥ Grade II
. Cognitive impairment or severe anxiety disorders preventing valid assessment
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Procedural Success
Timeframe: Immediately after the endoscopy procedure