TEAS treatment improves gastrointestinal function after abdominal surgery: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background : Postoperative gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction (PGD) is a common problem after abdominal surgery. PGD can increase the length of hospital stay and the economic burden and may even lead to some serious complications. Acupuncture and moxibustion are alternative therapies recommended for PGD. However, the effect of preventive application of acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) is still uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the continuous application of TEAS on GI function recovery in patients after abdominal surgery. At the same time, we will try to confirm the mechanism of TEAS through the brain-gut axis.Methods/design : This study is a prospective, single-center, two-arm, randomized controlled trial that will be performed in a general hospital. In total, 280 patients scheduled for gastric or colorectal cancer surgery will be stratified into two groups. The experimental group will receive TEAS stimulation at Hegu (L14) and Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37) once a day for 30 min during and after surgery until GI function recovery. The sham group will receive pseudo-TEAS at sham acupoints. The primary outcome will be the recovery time of postoperative bowel sounds, flatus, bowel movements and the changes in perioperative brain-intestinal peptides. The secondary outcome will be postoperative pain, perioperative complications, and hospitalization duration.Discussion : The results of this study will demonstrate that continuous preventive application of TEAS can improve the GI function recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and that this effect may act through brain-gut peptides.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR1900023263, Registered on 11 May 2019,http://www.chictr.org.cn