NCT07238504

Acupuncture for Post-hemorrhoidectomy Pain Control

Acupuncture for Post-hemorrhoidectomy Pain Control With Acute Anti-inflammatory Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 90 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture improves pain control after hemorrhoidectomy in patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids. It will also learn about the safety of using acupuncture in surgical patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does acupuncture lower the maximal pain intensity after hemorrhoidectomy? Does acupuncture reduce analgesics requirement, length of hospital stay and quality of recovery? Researchers will compare fully active acupuncture to a sham treatment (a look-alike procedure with minimum acupuncture stimulation) to see if active acupuncture works to improve pain control. Participants will: Receive acupuncture treatment for 7 times over first 5 days after surgery. Visit the clinic once 2 weeks after surgery for checkups and tests. Keep a diary of their symptoms and the number of times they take pain-killers.

Conditions

• Hemorrhoidectomy
• Hemorrhoid Pain
• Acupuncture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Acupuncture	Acupuncture to 6 specific acupoints, 3 distant acupoints and electrical stimulation to 4 pairs of local acupoints.
PROCEDURE	Acupuncture	Minimal electrical stimulation to 1 local acupoint and 2 distant acupoints

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2027-02-01
• Completion: 2027-04-01
• First posted: 2025-11-20
• Last updated: 2025-12-02