Ear prick therapy may slash Pre-Surgery jitters and opioid use
NCT ID NCT04836936
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
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.
Disclaimer
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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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Study contacts
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Locations
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UPMC Shadyside Hospital
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
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