Ear prick therapy may slash Pre-Surgery jitters and opioid use

NCT ID NCT04836936

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Jacques E. Chelly Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a special ear acupuncture technique, called auriculotherapy, can reduce anxiety in patients awaiting kidney surgery. Sixty adults scheduled for a nephrectomy will receive either a real or placebo version of the treatment. Researchers will measure anxiety levels and how much opioid pain medicine patients need after surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture using a cryopuncture device with nitrogen gas)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to ease pre-surgery anxiety and reduce the need for opioids after surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The placebo group also gets a device, so the real effect may be small.

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.

renal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY PREOPERATIVE

Contacts and locations

Locations

UPMC Shadyside Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

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