Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture in treating low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), a frequent postoperative complication of rectal resection, has been shown to significantly impact patients' quality of life. Electroacupuncture (EA), a non-pharmaceutical treatment, ameliorates gastrointestinal symptoms and promotes bowel movement. However, high-quality clinical evidence is lacking. This study aimed to determine whether EA can improve LARS symptoms compared with sham electroacupuncture (SA).

Study design and methods

This multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will be carried out across the outpatient clinics of three tertiary medical centers in China. A total of 136 patients with LARS who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated, in equal proportions (1:1), to either the EA or SA

SUBMITTER: Wang ZY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12310008 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature