Can acupuncture replace painkillers after surgery?
NCT ID NCT04560712
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether acupuncture can help manage pain after open abdominal surgery for colorectal or pancreatic cancer. About 70 patients will either receive acupuncture or standard care. The goal is to see if acupuncture reduces pain and the need for opioid painkillers, helping patients recover better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Acupuncture
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to manage post-surgery pain and reduce reliance on opioids.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 70 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Acupuncture's effect on pain is still uncertain.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States