AcuTENS for Pain Relief During TRUS-Guided Prostate Biopsy (NCT07292337) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
AcuTENS for Pain Relief During TRUS-Guided Prostate Biopsy
Malaysia53 participantsStarted 2024-12-01
Plain-language summary
This study evaluates whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied at specific acupuncture points (AcuTENS) can reduce pain and anxiety during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for participants suspected of prostate cancer. Many patients experience significant discomfort despite the use of periprostatic nerve block (PPNB).
The aim of this study is to determine whether AcuTENS provides additional pain relief or anxiety reduction beyond standard analgesia. The findings may help identify a simple, low-risk adjunct that can improve patient comfort during prostate biopsy. AcuTENS is a non-invasive technique that delivers mild electrical stimulation through the skin, targeting acupuncture points believed to modulate pain perception.
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants are assigned to receive either active AcuTENS or a placebo TENS device that produces no therapeutic stimulation . All participants with receive routine care, including PPNB, according to institutional protocol. Pain scores, anxiety levels, vital signs, and patient satisfaction are recorded before, during, and after the biopsy.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
MALE
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
. Patient consented for first time TRUS prostate biopsy.
. Patient aged 18 years and above.
Exclusion criteria
. Patient with previous experience of TRUS biopsy
. Patient with pacemakers or automatic cardiac defibrillator implant or implant in the upper limb
. Patient with cutaneous skin breaks on application sites (e.g wound, burn scar)
. Patient diagnosed to have epilepsy or impaired mental state or anxiety disorder
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
To evaluate the efficacy pain relief of application of Acu-TENS in TRUS prostate biopsy
Timeframe: VAS scores will be recorded in real time at the moment of maximal discomfort during: Insertion of the transrectal ultrasound probe Injection of periprostatic local anaesthesia Prostate biopsy sampling Time Frame: Immediately during the procedure