Electric acupoint stimulation may curb Post-Surgery nausea without drugs

NCT ID NCT03187535

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Jul 13, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates whether transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS), a needleless form of electroacupuncture, can lower the chance of nausea and vomiting after spinal surgery. About 72 adults undergoing elective spinal surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either TEAS or a sham treatment (patches with no electrical stimulation). Researchers will track how many participants experience nausea or vomiting and how severe it is, as well as the need for rescue anti-nausea medication.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) via ES-130 device
What this could lead to
If effective, TEAS could offer a drug-free way to reduce post-surgery nausea and vomiting, potentially decreasing the need for anti-nausea medications.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial with only 72 participants, so results may not apply to all surgeries or patients. The effect may be modest or no better than placebo.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 72 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Aug 2018

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients , 18 or older * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I or II or III * Undergoing elective spinal surgery expected to last no more than four hours (from induction of anesthesia to extubation). * Capable and willing to consent Exclusion Criteria: * Neuraxial (intrathecal or epidural) block * Significant ongoing history of vestibular disease or dizziness * Nausea or vomiting within 24 hours prior to surgery, use of antiemetic or emetogenic drugs within 3 days of surgery * Documented alcohol or substance abuse within 3 months before the surgery * Limb abnormalities such as burn and amputation. * Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose \>126 mg/dL or \<70 mg/dL) * Implantation of metal/electrical devices, such as nerve stimulator, cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator and internal hearing aids * Rash, local infection, keloid, any dermatologic condition that could interfere with the acupoint stimulation area * Documented alcohol or substance abuse within 3 months before surgery * Presence of clinically diagnosed major psychiatric condition such as bipolar disorder, uncontrolled major depression, or schizophrenia * Chemotherapy or radiation therapy within 7 days before surgery * Investigational product use within 3 months prior surgery * Any condition, which in the opinion of the investigator would make subject ineligible for participation in the study (history of unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, seizures) * Special population (prisoners, pregnant and lactating women)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

As listed by the trial registrant

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

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

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