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Effectiveness of Perioperative Percutaneous Acupuncture on Postoperative Sleep Disturbances and Chronic Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Cancer Resection: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blind, Superiority Controlled Trial

NCT07662733 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 316

Last updated 2026-06-23

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study evaluates whether acupuncture at specific body points before and after surgery can improve sleep quality and reduce long-term postoperative pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung cancer resection. Eligible adult patients will be randomly assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham (placebo) acupuncture in addition to standard care. Chronic pain will be assessed during hospital stay and up to 6 months after surgery.

Conditions

  • Postoperative Sleep Disturbances
  • Chronic Post-surgical Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Percutaneous Acupoint Acupuncture

Participants in the acupuncture group will receive manual acupuncture at four bilateral acupoints: Heart 7 (HT7 Shenmen), Pericardium 6 (PC6 Neiguan), Stomach 36 (ST36 Zusanli), and Kidney 6 (KI6 Zhaohai). Acupuncture will be performed on the night before surgery, on the night of the day of surgery, and on the first postoperative night (total of 3 sessions). Sterile disposable stainless steel needles (0.25 mm × 40 mm) will be inserted to a depth of 15-25 mm depending on location, with gentle lifting-thrusting and twisting until "Deqi" sensation (aching, heaviness, or tingling) is obtained. Needles will be retained for 30 minutes, during which manual stimulation will be applied every 10 minutes. No electrical stimulation will be used. Standard perioperative care will be provided to all participants.

OTHER

Sham Acupuncture

Participants in the sham acupuncture group will undergo a placebo procedure using non-penetrating sham needles (e.g., Streitberger or similar non-skin-piercing placebo needle) applied at the same acupoints (bilateral HT7, PC6, ST36, KI6) and on the same schedule (the night before surgery, the night of surgery day, and postoperative day 1; total of 3 sessions). The sham needle tip retracts into the base upon contact with the skin, producing a tactile sensation without skin penetration or Deqi. The device will be left in place for 30 minutes without manipulation, mimicking the true acupuncture procedure in appearance and duration. Standard perioperative care will be provided to all participants.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-06-13
Primary Completion
2027-02-28
Completion
2027-11-29

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07662733 on ClinicalTrials.gov