Acupuncture for Postoperative Gastric Emptying Delay
China176 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
This multicenter clinical trial, conducted at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and collaborating institutions, prospectively assesses the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for postoperative delayed gastric emptying. Eligible participants will be prospectively enrolled and randomized into different groups per the study protocol. The primary endpoint is the reduction in the duration of delayed gastric emptying, while secondary endpoints include the complete resolution of cardinal gastroparetic symptoms, such as abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. All study procedures adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the approved protocol.
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
. Aged 18-80 years, regardless of sex.
. Patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy.
. Patients presenting with postoperative gastroparesis symptoms, confirmed by imaging or gastric emptying scintigraphy, and clinically diagnosed with gastroparesis.
. No severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or coagulation dysfunction.
. No participation in other interventional clinical trials within the past month.
. Able to provide written informed consent and comply with the treatment and follow-up procedures.
Exclusion criteria
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
Time to Recovery from Postoperative Gastroparesis
Timeframe: From date of first diagnosis of postoperative gastroparesis through hospital discharge, assessed up to 12 months
. Patients with severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, hepatic or renal failure, or coagulation disorders.
. Patients who develop serious postoperative complications after partial gastrectomy, such as anastomotic leakage, gastrointestinal bleeding, or severe infections, or conditions that may affect the assessment of gastric motility, such as ascites or intestinal obstruction.
. Patients with a known allergy to acupuncture or with skin damage, infection, or severe scarring at the needle insertion sites that would prevent proper acupoint selection or needling.
. Patients with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, or those unable to cooperate with treatment procedures, symptom assessment, or follow-up.
. Patients who have used medications that may significantly affect gastric motility within the past week and cannot discontinue their use.
. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with other special physiological conditions that may make them unsuitable for participation in acupuncture research.