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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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