Key Finding
This is a study protocol describing a planned randomized controlled trial; no results are yet available regarding TEAS efficacy for early mobilization after endoscopic spine surgery.
Researchers at Beijing Friendship Hospital are studying whether a gentle electrical stimulation technique can help patients recover more quickly after minimally invasive spine surgery. The study focuses on transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), a pain-free treatment that uses mild electrical currents applied through skin patches placed on specific acupuncture points. The trial will enroll 114 patients undergoing unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) discectomy, a modern minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated discs. Half the participants will receive real TEAS treatment starting 30 minutes before surgery and continuing throughout the procedure, with electrodes placed at four traditional acupuncture points: Neiguan (inner wrist), Dazhui (upper back), Chengshan (calf), and Sanyinjiao (inner ankle). The other half will receive sham treatment at non-acupuncture points to compare results. The main goal is to see if TEAS helps patients walk sooner after surgery—specifically within 6 hours of their procedure. Researchers will also track pain levels, nausea, overall recovery quality, and functional ability at various time points after surgery. Early mobilization (getting up and moving soon after surgery) is crucial for better outcomes and faster recovery, but effective strategies to achieve this remain limited. This study represents an important step in understanding whether TEAS can safely enhance recovery protocols after spine surgery. The results are not yet available, as this is a study protocol describing research that is currently underway. When considering acupuncture or related treatments, always seek care from a licensed and qualified acupuncture practitioner.
This single-center randomized controlled trial (n=114) will investigate whether perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) enhances early mobilization following unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) discectomy. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either single-session TEAS at Neiguan (PC6), Dazhui (GV14), Chengshan (BL57), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) using disperse-dense waveform (2/100 Hz, 10-15 mA) initiated 30 minutes pre-operatively through procedure completion, or sham stimulation at non-meridian sites. The primary endpoint is successful ambulation rate at 6 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include pain (NRS), nausea/vomiting (VAS), opioid consumption, quality of recovery (QoR-15), and functional status (ODI, JOA score) assessed at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery with extended follow-up. All procedures will follow ERAS protocols under standardized general anesthesia with BIS and ANI monitoring. Statistical analysis will employ repeated-measures ANOVA or Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables and χ² or Fisher's exact tests for categorical data. This protocol addresses a significant gap in enhanced recovery strategies for minimally invasive spine surgery.
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