Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Urinary Retention After Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: Study Protocol for A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Researchers at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in China are studying whether a gentle electrical stimulation technique applied to acupuncture points can help women who experience urinary retention after surgery for cervical cancer. Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication following radical hysterectomy, where women have difficulty emptying their bladder completely. This condition can significantly affect quality of life and may require prolonged catheterization. The study will compare Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) with a sham (placebo) treatment in 76 women. TEAS involves applying mild electrical currents to specific acupuncture points on the skin without needles. Participants will receive either real or sham TEAS treatment once daily for two weeks. Researchers will measure how much urine remains in the bladder after voiding, track successful catheter removal rates, monitor urinary tract infections, and assess overall quality of life. This is a pilot study, meaning it's designed to test whether a larger study would be worthwhile and to gather preliminary data on TEAS effectiveness. The study is currently recruiting participants and has received ethics approval. While TEAS has shown promise in managing POUR in previous research, this trial will provide more rigorous evidence about whether it truly helps women recover normal bladder function after gynecological cancer surgery. If you're interested in acupuncture or TEAS for post-surgical recovery, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in women's health and post-operative care.

This single-center pilot RCT (n=76) investigates transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) versus sham TEAS for postoperative urinary retention following radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients. The trial employs single-blinding with 1:1 randomization and 14-day intervention periods (once daily treatment). Primary outcome measures change in post-void residual (PVR) volume, with secondary outcomes including catheter removal success rate, urinary tract infection incidence, and EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life assessments. Analysis follows intention-to-treat principles. The protocol (ITMCTR2025002091) received ethics approval from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in October 2025. This pilot study aims to establish feasibility and preliminary efficacy data for TEAS in managing POUR, a common complication substantially impairing post-hysterectomy recovery. Clinical takeaway: Evidence generation is ongoing for non-pharmacological POUR management; TEAS represents a potentially safe adjunctive intervention warranting investigation in gynecologic oncology populations.