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.
Disclaimer
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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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Electroacupuncture Apparatus
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300100, China