Acupuncture before surgery may keep elderly minds clear
NCT ID NCT03606941
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether giving electroacupuncture 30 minutes before major surgery could lower the chance of postoperative delirium (sudden confusion) in patients aged 65 to 90. Over 1,100 participants were randomly assigned to receive real or sham acupuncture. The goal was to see if this simple, needle-based treatment could protect brain function 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
- electroacupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to lower the risk of confusion after major surgery in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. The effect may be small or not better than sham acupuncture.
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
-
Electroacupuncture Apparatus
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300100, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- A beam of light to the brain: could it ward off Post-Surgery fog?
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- Spotting the vulnerable: a risk score for post-surgery brain fog in the elderly
- Brain-wave guided anesthesia may sharpen mental recovery after surgery in older adults