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Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Perioperative Sleep Disturbances in Cancer Patients

China176 participantsStarted 2026-06-13

Plain-language summary

Postoperative sleep disturbance (POSD) is highly prevalent among cancer patients after tumor resection, affecting 43%-80% of perioperative individuals. Poor sleep aggravates postoperative pain, anxiety and adverse cardiovascular events, hindering postoperative recovery. Conventional hypnotic medicines carry potential risks of drug dependence and respiratory depression. Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) is a non-invasive physical therapy derived from traditional acupuncture, which delivers low-frequency electrical stimulation on acupoints. Previous small-scale researches suggest TEAS may improve perioperative sleep, but high-quality randomized controlled trial evidence for cancer surgical patients is insufficient. This single-center randomized sham-controlled trial aims to verify whether perioperative TEAS at Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (PC6) and Hegu (LI4) can improve postoperative sleep quality, relieve surgical pain and regulate stress hormone level. A total of 176 eligible patients aged 18-75 years undergoing elective gastrointestinal or gynecologic cancer resection under general anesthesia will be enrolled and randomly divided into 1:1 intervention group and sham control group. The TEAS group receives acupoint electrical stimulation from pre-anesthesia to the end of surgery, while control group uses identical electrodes without actual electrical output. All subjects receive standardized anesthesia and routine postoperative analgesia. Researchers evaluate primary outcomes including PSQI and AIS sleep scales, alongside secondary indicators such as VAS pain score, QoR-15 and serum cortisol at postoperative Day1, Day3, Day7 and postoperative 30-day follow-up.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 75 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 between 18 and 75 years old, regardless of gender. * Diagnosed with malignant tumors requiring elective surgery under general anesthesia. * ASA physical status I-III. * Able to understand and complete study-related questionnaires (PSQI, AIS, NRS, etc.). * Voluntarily sign the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cardiac, hepatic, renal or respiratory dysfunction that affects the implementation of TEAS. * History of psychiatric disorders or use of psychotropic drugs. * History of drug or alcohol abuse. * Presence of infection, skin lesions or contraindications at TEAS acupoints. * Preoperative use of strong opioids (e.g., morphine, oxycodone) for more than 1 week. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months prior to enrollment. * Inability to cooperate with the study due to cognitive impairment or language barriers.

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

Evaluation of postoperative sleep quality

Timeframe: postoperative day 1，postoperative day 3，postoperative day 7，and postoperative day 30

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07654075

SponsorSecond Hospital of Shanxi Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07-12

Contact for this trial

Ting Wang

+86 18331359550 1148460358@qq.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Sleep Disturbance trials