Imagined Acupuncture for Postoperative Pain After Spinal Surgery

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Jingping Wang, MD, Ph.D.
Study ID
NCT07197710
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Pain Management

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT) — OTHER
    Unlike traditional acupuncture, VGAIT can be self-administered and does not require physical needle insertion, making it a practical alternative for patients seeking non-invasive pain management.
  • Education video — OTHER
    Education video about postoperative precautions

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether imagined acupuncture can reduce postoperative acute pain in adult patients undergoing spinal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does video-guided imagined acupuncture improve postoperative pain control? Does the intervention reduce opioid consumption and improve functional recovery in the immediate postoperative period? Researchers will compare the imagined acupuncture group to the control education video group to see if imagery-based intervention leads to better pain outcomes and reduced analgesic use. Participants will: Watch a 30-minute video once daily for 7 consecutive days after surgery Complete pain and function assessments during the hospital stay and postoperative follow-up

Key Dates

Start date
Oct 1, 2025
Status verified
Sep 2025
Primary completion
Sep 19, 2026
Completion
Sep 19, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Group 1: Imagined Acupuncture Intervention
    Participants assigned to Group 1 will receive standard postoperative care and a daily VGAIT session once per day for seven consecutive days following surgery. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be guided by a standardized video designed to induce acupuncture imagery and mental engagement. VGAIT will be administered at the same time each day (e.g., 9:00 AM ± 30 minutes). VAS and ODI assessments will be administered following the completion of the video session. The initial video session will be administered once the patient has fully regained consciousness in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following surgery.
  • Sham Comparator: Group 2: Education video
    Participants in the control group will receive standard postoperative care and Education video without any simulated acupuncture intervention. VAS and ODI assessments will be conducted at the same intervals as in Group 1 for consistency and comparison.

Primary Outcome Measure

Pain Scores (VAS) [ Time Frame: During the first postoperative week (Days 0-6) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIP
Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts02114

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By research site
Massachusetts General Hospital· Boston, MA

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