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TEAS for Variceal Bleeding Endoscopy in Cirrhosis
Sponsor: Beijing 302 Hospital
Summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) improves procedural success and patient tolerance in cirrhotic patients undergoing urgent unsedated endoscopy for suspected variceal bleeding. Participants with cirrhosis and suspected acute variceal bleeding requiring urgent endoscopy are randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. Active TEAS: Electrical stimulation at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Gongsun (SP4) starting 30 minutes before endoscopy and continuing until 15 minutes after the procedure. 2. Sham TEAS: Identical electrode placement but no electrical current. 3. Control: Standard endoscopy alone without electrodes. All patients receive topical pharyngeal anesthesia and standardized medical management. The study assesses procedural success (composite of technical adequacy and patient satisfaction), patient discomfort (visual analogue scale), procedure time, hemostasis outcomes, physiological parameters, and clinical experience measures.
Official title: Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Suspected Variceal Bleeding Endoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
180
Start Date
2025-07-18
Completion Date
2026-02-12
Last Updated
2026-04-13
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
TEAS + Urgent Endoscopy
Device: Hwato SDZ-III Electronic Acupuncture Treatment Instrument Stimulation at LI4, PC6, ST36, SP4; 2/20 Hz dense-disperse wave; intensity to maximum tolerance; 30 min pre-procedure to 15 min post-procedure.
Sham TEAS + Urgent Endoscopy
Device: Hwato SDZ-III Electronic Acupuncture Treatment Instrument (no current) Identical electrode placement; no electrical stimulation; same duration as active group.
Urgent Endoscopy Only
Standard urgent endoscopy with topical pharyngeal anesthesia; no TEAS intervention.
Locations (1)
The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China