NCT07036393

Acupuncture Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Post Upper Abdominal Surgeries

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study was done to: * Determine the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture as physical therapy approach in minimizing pain post upper abdominal surgeries. * Determine the therapeutic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in minimizing pain post upper abdominal surgeries. * Compare the efficacy and safety of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus acupuncture in minimizing pain post upper abdominal surgeries.

Detailed description

Postoperative pain is caused by tissue damage from surgical incisions, triggering acute nociceptive activity in sensory nerve endings. Pain sensations reach the brain through dorsal horn, where it is recognized and interpreted. Management modalities include pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods. This study aims to provide a guideline on the effect of acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain reduction after upper abdominal surgeries.

Conditions

• Acupuncture
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• Pain
• Upper Abdominal Surgery

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Acupuncture	Cholecystectomy involves a procedure where patients' spines are kept in position and skin around the acupoints is disinfected with 75% alcohol. Acupuncture treatment is given when patients return to units within 2 hours after surgery. The needles are inserted using disposable sterile needles and manipulated to induce a sense of "De qi" (soreness, numbness, distension, or heaviness). Gastrectomy involves daily acupuncture sessions for 5 consecutive days, starting on postoperative day 1. The needles are inserted perpendicular to the acupoints in the extremities to a depth of approximately 20 mm from the skin surface.
OTHER	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Patients will receive a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit (ENNRAF) for up to 48 hours post-surgery, with instructions to self-titrate intensity for pain relief. Postoperative stimulation will be 20-40 milliampere and pulse width 5
OTHER	drugs	analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-15
• Primary completion: 2025-06-15
• Completion: 2025-07-15
• First posted: 2025-06-25
• Last updated: 2025-06-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt