Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery

NCT ID: NCT07260266

Last Updated: 2025-12-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

108 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-01

Study Completion Date

2027-12-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study aims to design a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on postoperative visceral pain in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either taVNS or sham stimulation. The total consumption of opioids and other analgesics within 24 hours post-surgery in the AICU will be recorded, along with follow-up assessments of pain scores and quality of recovery scores (Qor-15) at 24 hours postoperatively.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Pain Management

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS)

Patients received taVNS treatment immediately upon entering the AICU, with sessions occurring every 2 hours. A specialized taVNS stimulator device was used, and the left ear was cleaned with an alcohol swab or wet tissue before inserting an earplug with electrode contacts into the left ear, ensuring a snug fit. A second earplug was inserted into the right ear. The stimulation parameters were set as follows: continuous wave, frequency 20 Hz, pulse width 200 μs. Each treatment session lasted for 30 minutes.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients received taVNS treatment immediately upon entering the AICU, with sessions occurring every 2 hours. A specialized taVNS stimulator device was used, and the left auricle was cleaned with an alcohol swab or wet tissue before inserting an earplug with electrode contacts into the left ear, ensuring a snug fit. A second earplug was inserted into the right ear. The stimulation parameters were set as follows: continuous wave, frequency of 20 Hz, and pulse width of 200 μs. Each treatment session lasted for 30 minutes.

Sham-stimulation

The treatment protocol was identical to that of the taVNS group. Electrodes were placed on the left auricle. After the device was activated, it either did not deliver any current or only emitted a brief sub-threshold current to simulate the sensation of device activation, without producing continuous neural stimulation.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Sham Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

The treatment protocol was identical to that of the taVNS group. Electrodes were placed on the left auricle. After the device was turned on, it either did not output any current or only delivered a brief sub-threshold current to simulate the sensation of the device being activated, without producing continuous neural stimulation.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Patients received taVNS treatment immediately upon entering the AICU, with sessions occurring every 2 hours. A specialized taVNS stimulator device was used, and the left auricle was cleaned with an alcohol swab or wet tissue before inserting an earplug with electrode contacts into the left ear, ensuring a snug fit. A second earplug was inserted into the right ear. The stimulation parameters were set as follows: continuous wave, frequency of 20 Hz, and pulse width of 200 μs. Each treatment session lasted for 30 minutes.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

The treatment protocol was identical to that of the taVNS group. Electrodes were placed on the left auricle. After the device was turned on, it either did not output any current or only delivered a brief sub-threshold current to simulate the sensation of the device being activated, without producing continuous neural stimulation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 18 and 85 years, regardless of gender
* ASA physical status classification I-III
* Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, with postoperative admission to the AICU for monitoring
* Anticipated duration of stay in the AICU is approximately 24 hours

Exclusion Criteria

* History of vagus nerve-related diseases (such as vasovagal syncope);
* Severe arrhythmias or implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers;
* Skin lesions, infections, or deformities at the site of external ear stimulation;
* Long-term preoperative use of opioid medications or sedatives;
* Allergy to study-related medications;
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Qing-he Zhou

Clinical Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Mingzi An

Role: CONTACT

18035193080

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

2025-LP-778

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id