TEAS for the Treatment of Pain in Bone Metastases of Lung Cancer

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) for the Treatment of Pain in Bone Metastases of Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective RCT Study

This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled research study aims to objectively evaluate the role of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), which combines the theory of acupuncture with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, for the treatment of pain in patients with bone metastases from lung cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of non-small cell lung cancer and had a diagnosis of definite bone-metastatic-related pain.
• Potent opioid analgesics have been prescribed regularly.
• Bone protective agents (bisphosphonates or desumumab) have been used regularly.
• Expected survival ≥ 3 months with no obvious contraindication to opioid therapy.
• Stable vital signs and ECOG-PS score ≤ 2 points; able to cooperate with researchers to complete relevant study evaluations.
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Definitively diagnosed with pain unrelated to lung cancer.
• Received local radiation therapy or surgery targeting bone metastases within 1 week before enrollment or will receive during the intervention period. The surgery including vertebroplasty, radioparticle implantation, neurological lesions, and other minimally invasive interventions.
• Venous thrombosis in the upper and lower extremities (below the elbow / knee joint), active cerebrovascular disease, severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, or those with respiratory depression.
• Pacemaker implantation or metallic implants in vivo.
• Skin lesions at the acupoints, poor skin condition, or other situations that are not suitable for treatment with TEAS.
• Opioid hypersensitivity.
• Psychiatric disorders or severe cognitive deficits.
• Participating in other clinical trialists influencing the evaluation of the results of this study.