Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation on Postoperative Bowel Function Recovery in Elderly Patients

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation on Postoperative Bowel Function Recovery in Elderly Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

The goal of this clinical trial is to clarify the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer, and to evaluate its clinical value in promoting postoperative intestinal function recovery and reducing the incidence of intestinal complications. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can TEA promote the recovery of intestinal function in elderly patients with colon cancer after surgery? What medical problems might occur to the participants when using TEA? The researchers will compare TEA with the control group (non-acupoint sham stimulation) to see if TEA is effective in promoting the recovery of intestinal function after surgery.

Participants will:

Starting from the first day after the surgery, they received TEA or sham stimulation twice a day for a total of 3 days.

Record the time of the first defecation, defecation, and eating. Record their symptoms and adverse events.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 65 years old.
• Elective minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) resection of colorectal cancer.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA) 1-4.
• Able to understand the research process and the use of various assessment scales, and able to communicate effectively with the researchers.
• The patient voluntarily participates in this study and signs the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous history of abdominal gastrointestinal surgery.
• Planned for palliative or emergency surgery.
• Planned for open abdominal surgery or creation of a new stoma.
• Transfer to ICU.
• Diagnosed with severe heart, liver, kidney or mental system diseases.
• Patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers.
• Patients currently using or having used in the past month glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors.
• Planned to use epidural anesthesia or epidural analgesia.
• Presence of local skin lesions, infection at the stimulation site, or obvious skin allergy or severe skin sensitivity to electrodes/adhesive materials.
• Participated in other clinical studies within the past 3 months or received acupuncture treatment within the past month.
• Other conditions that the investigator considers make the patient unsuitable for participation in this study.