Acupuncture for Hip Fracture Surgery Recovery

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byStephanie Cheng, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: N/A

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

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Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?At this time, no formal ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocol exists for THR that incorporates perioperative acupuncture. Developing, and more importantly, validating a preliminary fast-track protocol for THR can have a significant impact on reducing recovery time and improving the rate at which this subgroup of surgeries is done on an outpatient basis. Furthermore, previous studies of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for postoperative analgesia have primarily investigated patient satisfaction rather than the impact on postoperative opioid consumption. The majority of studies also place acupuncture needles preoperatively, rather than following induction of anesthesia (intra-operatively). This study hopes to show that placing auricular therapy needles intraoperatively is a feasible part of a protocol for motivated patients to minimize opioids after total knee arthroplasty. The prospect of incorporating intraoperative acupuncture as an adjunct into said protocol is very attractive given its low cost, its safety profile, its ease of administration, and the growing evidence supporting its efficacy. This study would provide further clarity on whether perioperative acupuncture can effectively reduce hospital length of stay and post-operative opioid consumption, in addition to evaluating the role of perioperative acupuncture in improving recovery after THR as part of a multimodal fast-track protocol.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18-80 who are undergoing total hip replacement surgery and can follow the study protocol. They should be relatively healthy (ASA status of 1 or 2). It's not for those with active ear infections, heart devices like pacemakers, non-native ears, chronic opioid use, nickel allergies, or contraindications to certain anesthetics.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for a total hip replacement surgery.

I speak English.

I am between 18 and 80 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I currently have an ear infection.

I plan to undergo surgery with general anesthesia.

I do not speak English.

I cannot have certain types of anesthesia due to health reasons.

I have had surgery or scarring on my ear.

Treatment Details

The trial is testing if acupuncture can be added to a fast-track recovery plan after hip surgery to reduce recovery time and opioid use. One group will receive Auricular Trauma Protocol (ATP) Acupuncture intraoperatively while another won't get acupuncture at all.

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Active Acupuncture GroupActive Control1 Intervention

For the patients randomized to the acupuncture group, once sedation has been deemed adequate by the anesthesiologist, a certified medical acupuncturist will perform ipsilateral Auricular Trauma Protocol (ATP) acupuncture at eight ear points (Hypothalamus, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Prefrontal Cortex, Point Zero, Shen Men, Insula, Vagus) with 30Hz electrostimulation at two of those points (Shen Men and Hypothalamus). Acupuncture needles will be left in place and stimulated for 60 min and then removed.

Group II: Placebo No Acupuncture GroupPlacebo Group1 Intervention

These patients will not receive acupuncture treatment during surgery, their surgery will continue as normal.