Effect of Patient-Controlled Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Quality of Life in Chronic Cancer Pain

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

TEAS: Patients assumed a supine or sitting position, and after routine skin disinfection at the acupoint sites, one pair of electrode patches was attached to the two ipsilateral acupoints of the same group, with the same procedure performed on the contralateral side. A transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulator was used to apply TEAS sequentially to acupoint groups ① and ②. Each acupoint group received a single TEAS session lasting 30 minutes. Participants were permitted to undergo multiple TEAS sessions within the same day, with all treatments recorded in a pain diary. The TEAS parameters were set as a continuous wave at a frequency of 2 Hz, with the current intensity adjusted to the patient's tolerance level. The treatment followed a "patient-controlled, as-needed" administration pattern. Each treatment course lasted 7 days, with a minimum of 3 treatment days per course and a total of no fewer than 5 sessions per course. A total of 4 treatment courses were conducted.

sham TEAS: Participants were informed that, due to individual variations in sensory thresholds, it is normal if no distinct sensation is perceived even at the maximum stimulation intensity. Regardless of subjective perception, the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation treatment remains active and exerts its therapeutic effects continuously.

Study summary

This study aims to objectively evaluate the effect of Patient-Controlled Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (PC-TEAS) on improving the quality of life in patients with chronic cancer pain, thereby providing evidence-based medical support for its efficacy and offering practical basis for patients to achieve home-based auxiliary treatment based on their own needs. Furthermore, by observing and comparing changes in indicators such as pain-related scores, analgesic consumption, emotional scores, spontaneous bowel movements, and adverse events, this research will comprehensively assess the advantages of PC-TEAS in the management of chronic cancer pain and explore other potential benefits of this intervention for patients.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• The area under the curve (AUC) of the FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General) total score for assessing quality of life in patients with chronic cancer pain after 4 weeks of treatment. — Baseline; Week 1; Week 2; Week 3;Week 4; Week 8; Week 12
  the FACT-G comprises 27 items grouped into 4 domains: physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being, and functional well-being; some items require reverse scoring, with the total score ranging from 0 to 108. Higher scores indicate better quality of life. Using the area under the curve scoring method allows for the observation of the cumulative benefit of PC-TEAS usage in patients over the entire treatment period

Trial sites (1)

More The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University trials in China

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