NCT01551654

Brief Summary

Colonoscopy is a stressful and unpleasant procedure especially during the passage of the endoscope through angulations of colon. Electro-acupuncture is one of the alternative to reduce colorectal discomfort. However acupuncture is invasive. This present study explored the effectiveness of a non-invasive treatment modality, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation over Acupuncture points in reduction of colorectal discomfort during barostat-induced rectal distension.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
40

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable pain

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2009

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2009

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2010

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2010

Completed
1.9 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 7, 2012

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 13, 2012

Completed
Last Updated

March 20, 2012

Status Verified

March 1, 2012

Enrollment Period

8 months

First QC Date

March 7, 2012

Last Update Submit

March 19, 2012

Conditions

Keywords

PainColonoscopyTENSAcupuncture

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Mean Pain Thresholds

    During each 60-second phase of sustained incremental pressure, the subject was asked to rate their colorectal sensation using an electronic panel attached to a computer during the resting 2 minutes. Ratings were "no perception", "first perception of distension", "urge to defecate", "discomfort or pain" and "extreme pain".

    3 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Beta-endorphins level

    0 minutes, 45 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes

  • Visual Analogue Scale for rectal discomfort

    3 minutes

Study Arms (2)

Placebo Acu-TENS

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

No Electrical output was coming out from the TENS unit

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ITO Company )

TENS over acupuncture points

EXPERIMENTAL

A constant mode of electrical stimulation at 2 pulses per second and pulse width at 200µs for 45 minutes. Intensity was set to just initiate muscle contraction.

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ITO Company )

Interventions

A mobile small machine for nerve stimulation

Also known as: (Model 120Z, ITO Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan)
Placebo Acu-TENSTENS over acupuncture points

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Ages of 18-65 undergoing elective colonoscopy
  • Patients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists grading I-II
  • Informed consent available

You may not qualify if:

  • Previous history of colorectal resection and abdominal surgery
  • Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (Rome II classifications)
  • Previous experiences of colonoscopy
  • American Society of Anaesthesiologists grading III or above
  • Renal impairment
  • Emergency colonoscopy
  • Pregnancy
  • Allergy to acupuncture needles or electrode pads
  • Refuse to enroll into the study

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Prince of Wales Hospital

Hong Kong, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Interventions

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationAnalgesiaAnesthesia and Analgesia

Study Officials

  • Wing-Wa LEUNG, MSc

    Chinese University of Hong Kong

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Mr

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 7, 2012

First Posted

March 13, 2012

Study Start

September 1, 2009

Primary Completion

May 1, 2010

Study Completion

May 1, 2010

Last Updated

March 20, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-03

Locations