Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device, Reletex Reliefband, With Current ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Protocol to Further Decrease Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in the Bariatric Surgical Patient Within the First 24 Hours Postoperatively.

NCT ID: NCT07063979

Last Updated: 2025-11-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-11-04
• Study Completion Date: 2026-07-31

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the Reletex Reliefband device when used in conjunction with our current treatments will further decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting. The Investigators want to test how well it works, specifically in bariatric surgery patients that are at a higher risk for nausea and vomiting after surgery. Furthermore, the investigators would like to see if using this non-drug treatment option might allow for the same or better control of nausea and vomiting with fewer side effects than the current medications used. This may decrease drowsiness, and allow for earlier mobility, increase comfort, and generally accelerate recovery after surgery.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the use of Reletex Reliefband decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the Bariatric surgical patient, therefore decreasing need for additional anti-emetics.
• Does the use of Reletex Reliefband the use of the Reletex Reliefband during the immediate post-operative period reduce PONV, allowing for early mobility, decreased pain and length of stay (LOS).
• Does the use of Reletex Reliefband decrease the use of medications for nausea and therefore decrease costs.
• Does the use of Reletex Reliefband reduce prolonged PONV and therefore prevent the downstream effects, i.e. less mobility, increased pain, inhibit the patients' ability to comply with recommended treatments.
• If reducing PONV using non-pharmaceutical approaches will improve outcomes and patient experiences.

Researchers will compare to a placebo (a look-alike device) to see if the Reletex Reliefband works to decrease PONV.

Participants will:

• All receive the standard Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol before, during and after surgery. (This includes use of premedications for pain, and nausea)
• Have a band applied and turned on at the completion of the patient's bariatric sleeve surgery. The band will be adjusted based on need and worn for a total of 24 hours postoperatively.
• Have a pedometer clipped to their gown, to remain in place for 24 hours postoperatively
• Be assessed regularly during their hospital stay by the nurses to monitor the site of the band, their level of nausea/vomiting, pain levels, and level of mobility

Detailed Description

Procedures:

Recruitment:

To prevent any potential undue influence that may inadvertently occur due to patient physician or patient coordinator relationships the investigators have decided that the bariatric fellow who has limited exposure to the patients in the office setting or in the lead up to surgery, would be less likely to elicit this response. At the patient's final pre-operative visit in the office prior to surgery the fellow will meet privately with the patients He will discuss the device, utilizing educational materials and a video provided by the device company and then explain the study to the patient, allowing time for questions and reassuring them that care will be provided for PONV, regardless of participation in the study. He will then obtain consent.

Application of band:

Reletex Band will be applied and turned on to setting #1 at completion of the participant's bariatric sleeve surgery. Assessments will be done utilizing the Post Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Impact Scale and the band settings will be titrated per the protocol at hr 1and 2 in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

Titration of band settings:

Upon arrival to the Surgical Floor at hour 3 an assessment utilizing PONV Impact Scale and the band settings will be titrated per the established protocol. Assessments and adjustments will continue every 4 hours per protocol thereafter. At hour 12, due to battery life limitations, the band will be removed by the patient's RN and replaced with a new band, (settings to continue from previous band).

At time of patient discharge (within the 24-hour postoperative timeframe), a final assessment will be completed, and the band will be removed.

The voltage/dose for each level is as follows. R=500Ω Setting Level mAmps Amps Volts (Amps * Resistance)

1. 10 0.01 5

2. 18 0.018 9

3. 25 0.025 12.5

4. 33 0.033 16.5

5. 40 0.04 20

The band will be applied at the lowest level (1) and the power level will be increased based on the PONV impact scale ratings and patient's comfort level with the stimulation using the following titration scale:

Setting Level PONV Impact Score

1. 0-2 (starting setting)

2. 2-3

3. 3-4

4. 4-5

5. 5 or greater The device lot number for each band (2 per patient), will be recorded by the Bariatric Coordinator prior to placing in patient chart the am of surgery, and maintained on an excel spreadsheet as a back-up method. Immediately following the case, the Bariatric Fellow will apply the first band to the patient at a setting of #1. He will enter the order for the band into Epic, at which time he will also enter both band lot numbers- these #s will then be visible to staff when looking back at the original order. In the recovery room the Bariatric Fellow will also attach a clip-on pedometer to the patient's gown. Assessments of the patients PONV risk rating, PONV impact scores, number of times anti-emetics are dispensed, and Pain Assessments will be collected electronically utilizing the EHR with designated documentation areas for these. In addition, to monitor postoperative ambulation, patients will wear clip on pedometers, and these will be turned into Coordinator and data will be recorded within the excel spreadsheets. As part of the Coordinator/Clinical Reviewers normal data collection for MBSAQIP, all data will be extracted from the patient chart, de-identified and summarized and stored on a password protected computer with a secure server.

Collected data: The data will be extracted either manually or in a formulated report from EPIC and then stored in REDCap or Excel. REDCap ensures data privacy and security through a combination of features including: user-based access controls, encryption of data at rest and in transit, detailed audit trails, data masking options, anonymous survey capabilities, and the ability to restrict access to specific data fields based on user roles, all while allowing researchers to customize security settings based on their project needs and relevant regulations like HIPAA compliance. In the rare circumstance that Excel will need to be utilized as a backup method, it will be stored on a password protected Penn Medicine computer on a secure server with firewall protections.

Demographic data will be collected to describe the characteristics of the sample, such as age, gender, ethnicity, race, and comorbidities. The demographic data form will not contain names or identifying information.

PONV Risk Score Rating will be determined using a scale currently used within our EMR by Anesthesia looking at validated risk factors for PONV such as, female gender, nonsmoker, history of PONV or use of Postoperative opioids. Each risk is assigned 1 point the higher the score the higher the patient is at risk for experiencing PONV.

PONV Incidents will be measured using the Simplified PONV impact scale to define clinically significant PONV. This is a 2-item questionnaire that measures number of episodes of vomiting or dry-retching, as well as the experience of nausea and if it has interfered with normal activity. The PONV impact scale helps quantify vomiting intensity based on the number of episodes of vomiting/retching using a Likert type scale for this question with the following values: 0 = No, 1=once, 2= twice and 3=three or more times. Question number 2 of the PONV impact scale, helps quantify the impact of nausea on the patient based on how it interferes with their ability to perform activities of daily living such as being able to get out of bed, move, walk, eat/drink. The following values were assigned to this variable, 0=Not at all, 1 sometimes, 2 often or most of the time and 3=All of the time. The 2 questions are combined to produce a score, a score greater than or equal to 5 is considered clinically important PONV. (Myles and Wengritzky., 2012).

Pain Assessment Scale:

Participants postoperative pain will be monitored and documented using an 11-point Numerical Rating System, with "0" being no pain and "10" being the worst imaginable.

Patient Mobility:

Patients' mobility postoperatively will be assessed using a Pedometer.

Conditions

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Arm 1, will receive the placebo or sham device.

The sham device will mimic the actual device by looks, and feeling, but won't actually emit a low-level electric current to stimulate the nerves.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

A sham device that will mimic the active wearable device. It will look the same, and buzz but will not actually admit a low-leve electric current that would stimulate the nerves.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The company who makes the active device created a sham wearable device that looks like the active, and buzzes (to give the feel of stimulation), but does not actual emit a low-leve electrical signal to stimulate the nerves.

Arm 2- will receive active band

This is the actual device, so it will emit a low-level electric current and stimulate the nerves of the patient.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Wearable Transcutaneous electrical Nerve Stimulation unit to mitigate postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the Bariatric Surgical Patient

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Use of a wearable device, which emits a low-level electric current across 2 small electrodes on the underside of the patient's wrist, stimulating the nerves and sending a signal to the center of the brain that can help suppress nausea/vomiting. A review of the medical literature found studies that found the device to be effective in reducing PONV. It has been studied in the past, but the trials had limitations, not double blinded and no true placebo. We have proposed a true double blind randomized study utilizing a placebo which specifically mimics the actual device as closely as possible to prevent bias and adversely effecting data results. Nor had this device been tested specifically in the postop bariatric surgical patient.

Interventions

Wearable Transcutaneous electrical Nerve Stimulation unit to mitigate postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the Bariatric Surgical Patient

Use of a wearable device, which emits a low-level electric current across 2 small electrodes on the underside of the patient's wrist, stimulating the nerves and sending a signal to the center of the brain that can help suppress nausea/vomiting. A review of the medical literature found studies that found the device to be effective in reducing PONV. It has been studied in the past, but the trials had limitations, not double blinded and no true placebo. We have proposed a true double blind randomized study utilizing a placebo which specifically mimics the actual device as closely as possible to prevent bias and adversely effecting data results. Nor had this device been tested specifically in the postop bariatric surgical patient.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

A sham device that will mimic the active wearable device. It will look the same, and buzz but will not actually admit a low-leve electric current that would stimulate the nerves.

The company who makes the active device created a sham wearable device that looks like the active, and buzzes (to give the feel of stimulation), but does not actual emit a low-leve electrical signal to stimulate the nerves.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults 18-75 years of age
• BMI 35 or greater
• Patients eligible for and undergoing a Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Able to consent on own behalf

Exclusion Criteria

• A diagnosis of gastroparesis
• Pregnancy
• Presence of a cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator or intrathecal pump
• Current smoker or tobacco use within 30 days of procedure.
• Known allergic reactions to conductivity gel.

Due to the nature of the Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy patients who may be unable to follow or comprehend the long-term restrictions and/or requirements inherent of the surgery due to altered mentation are excluded from having the surgery.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Pennsylvania

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Yelizaveta Dobruskin

Medical Director Bariatric Surgery & Metabolic Medicine

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Lisa Dobruskin, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center for Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Medicine

Locations

Princeton Hospital

Plainsboro, New Jersey, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Donna L Post, Bariatric Coordinator/Nurse Navigator, BSN

Role: CONTACT

donna.post@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

609-423-8102

Lisa Dobruskin, MD Medical Director Penn Med Princeton Bariatrics, MD

Role: CONTACT

yelizaveta.dobruskin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

609-785-5870

Facility Contacts

Donna Post

Role: primary

donna.post@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

609-423-8102

Other Identifiers

858175

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id