NCT06128785

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to verify the efficacy of electroacupuncture in accelerating the recovery of gastrointestinal function after colorectal cancer surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Whether electroacupuncture can accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients after colorectal cancer surgery.
  • Whether electroacupuncture intervention is safe for postoperative colorectal cancer patients. Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: The conventional control group will receive postoperative rehydration and nutritional support, correction of acid-base imbalance and electrolyte disturbance, anti-infection, hemostasis and other symptomatic treatments. In the electroacupuncture group, acupuncture will be performed within 6 hours after surgery on the basis of the conventional control group. Acupoint: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Zhigou (SJ6), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37). Both after obtaining Qi, and unilaterally connected to the electroacupuncture instrument for electrical stimulation, the current frequency is continuous wave 5 Hz, the intensity of stimulation was as the patient tolerated, each time lasting 30 min. Acupuncture stimulation was given every 12 h. The course of treatment was terminated postoperatively until the fourth postoperative day (d0-d4) or until the patient showed the first postoperative anal exhaust or continued until the fourth day. The sham acupuncture group will based on the conventional control group, using a blunt-tipped needle tip that do not pierce the adhesive pad.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
300

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable colorectal-cancer

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2023

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable colorectal-cancer

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 4, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 6, 2023

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 13, 2023

Completed
1.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 30, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 30, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

November 13, 2023

Status Verified

November 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

1.2 years

First QC Date

September 4, 2023

Last Update Submit

November 10, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

Colorectal CancerGastrointestinal DysfunctionEnhanced Recovery After SurgeryElectroacupunctureRandomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Time of first postoperative exhaust

    The time between the patient's first exhaust and the end of surgery will be recorded.

    up to 4 days after surgery.

Secondary Outcomes (11)

  • Time of first postoperative defecation

    up to 4 days after surgery.

  • Length of recovery of bowel sounds after surgery ( Yueyang Hospital records only)

    up to 4 days after surgery.

  • Time of first postoperative intake of water

    up to 4 days after surgery.

  • Number of Postoperative nausea and vomiting episods

    up to 4 days after surgery.

  • Quality of life scale 1

    baseline, discharge 1 day, 1 month after surgery.

  • +6 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Adverse Event Assessment

    up to 4 days

Study Arms (3)

Electroacupuncture group

EXPERIMENTAL

The acupuncture will be performed within 6 hours after surgery Acupoint: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Zhigou (SJ6), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), All acupoints will be taken by tonifying method after obtaining qi, and unilaterally connected to an electroacupuncture instrument for electrical stimulation with a continuous wave frequency of 5 Hz and a stimulation intensity as tolerated by the patient for 30 min each time. Acupuncture stimulation was given every 12 h. The duration of treatment was from postoperative to the fourth postoperative day (d0-d4) or until the patient's first postoperative anal discharge or until the fourth day.

Device: Electroacupuncture group

Sham EA group

SHAM COMPARATOR

In order to achieve maximum patient blindness, both groups will use adhesive pads, and the sham acupuncture needle will have the same appearance as the traditional needle, with a blunt tip (Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory, specification 0.25×40mm), lifting and inserting and twisting, but not piercing the adhesive pad. The output wire of the special sham electroacupuncture apparatus is cut in the middle, and the appearance is as usual; that is, the electroacupuncture apparatus shows an on state, but is not actually energized; the electroacupuncture points, acupuncture time points, frequency, retention time, and duration of treatment are the same as the intervention group, and the patients are informed that it is an effective light current input and may not feel stimulation, but the current is output. All study patients will be treated independently and separately to ensure that patients will not come into contact with each other.

Other: Sham EA group

Conventional control group

NO INTERVENTION

Routine perioperative management will be given, postoperative fluid and nutritional support, correction of acid-base imbalance, electrolyte disorders, anti-infection, hemostasis and other symptomatic management.

Interventions

Acupoint: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Zhigou (SJ6), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37). All acupoints will be taken by tonifying method after obtaining qi, and unilaterally connected to an electroacupuncture instrument for electrical stimulation with a continuous wave frequency of 5 Hz and a stimulation intensity as tolerated by the patient for 30 min each time. Acupuncture stimulation was given every 12 h. The duration of treatment was from postoperative to the fourth postoperative day (d0-d4) or until the patient's first postoperative anal exhaust or until the fourth day.

Also known as: experimental group
Electroacupuncture group

Sham acupuncture needle will have the same appearance as the traditional needle, with a blunt tip (Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory, specification 0.25×40mm), lifting and inserting and twisting, but not piercing the adhesive pad. The output wire of the special sham electroacupuncture apparatus is cut in the middle, and the appearance is as usual; that is, the electroacupuncture apparatus shows an on state, but is not actually energized; the electroacupuncture points, acupuncture time points, frequency, retention time, and duration of treatment are the same as the intervention group, and the patients are informed that it is an effective light current input and may not feel stimulation, but the current is output.

Sham EA group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 79 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Surgical patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for colorectal cancer and require elective radical colorectal cancer surgery;
  • years old ≤ age ≤ 79 years old, with no restriction on gender;
  • Understand, agree to participate in this study and sign the informed consent form;
  • American society of Aneshesiologists (ASA) classification I to III.

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with psychiatric disorders;
  • Patients who have participated or are participating in other clinical studies in the 3 months prior to enrollment;
  • Patients with severe malnutrition (NRS2002 score ≥ 3);
  • Patients with total colectomy;
  • Patients undergoing ileal diversion for rectal cancer;
  • Patients with tumor infiltration requiring resection of other organs;
  • Prophylactic fistulae.
  • Anyone who meets any of the above criteria will be excluded from the study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai Yueyang Integrated Medicine Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Sun L, Wei X, Feng T, Gu Q, Li J, Wang K, Zhou J. Electroacupuncture promotes gastrointestinal functional recovery after radical colorectal cancer surgery: a protocol of multicenter randomized controlled trial (CORRECT trial). Int J Colorectal Dis. 2024 Dec 9;39(1):198. doi: 10.1007/s00384-024-04768-8.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colorectal Neoplasms

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal NeoplasmsGastrointestinal NeoplasmsDigestive System NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsDigestive System DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesColonic DiseasesIntestinal DiseasesRectal Diseases

Study Officials

  • Jia Zhou, M.D.

    Shanghai Yueyang Integrated Medicine Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Both groups will use adhesive pads, and the sham acupuncture needle will have the same appearance as the traditional needle, with a blunt tip (Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory, specification 0.25×40mm), lifting and inserting and twisting, but not piercing the adhesive pad. The output wire of the special sham electroacupuncture apparatus is cut in the middle, and the appearance is as usual; that is, the electroacupuncture apparatus shows an on state, but is not actually energized; the electroacupuncture points, acupuncture time points, frequency, retention time, and duration of treatment are the same as the intervention group. All study patients will be treated independently and separately, ensuring that patients will not come into contact with each other. To test the effectiveness of blinding of participants, two hospitals will be selected from for blinded success assessment.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Needles: Huatuo brand disposable acupuncture needles φ0.25×40mm (1.5 inch); needles are purchased from Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory Co. Acupoint: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Zhigou (SJ6), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), lasting 30 min each time. Postoperative electroacupuncture stimulation method: all acupoints will be taken by tonifying method after obtaining qi, and unilaterally connected to the electroacupuncture instrument for electrical stimulation with a continuous wave frequency of 5 Hz and a stimulation intensity as tolerated by the patient for 30 min each time. Acupuncture stimulation will be given every 12 h. The duration of treatment was from postoperative to the fourth postoperative day (d0-d4) or until the patient's first postoperative anal discharge or until the fourth day.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 4, 2023

First Posted

November 13, 2023

Study Start

November 6, 2023

Primary Completion

January 30, 2025

Study Completion

January 30, 2025

Last Updated

November 13, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

All individual participant data that underlie results in a publication.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF, CSR
Time Frame
Starting 12 months after publication.
Access Criteria
For academic communication only, online supplementary documents and email communication can be added.

Locations