Acupuncture for Postoperative Gastric Emptying Delay

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Gastroparesis Postoperative, Delayed Gastric Emptying Following Procedure

In brief

This multicenter clinical trial, conducted at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and collaborating institutions, prospectively assesses the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for postoperative delayed gastric emptying. Eligible participants will be prospectively enrolled and randomized into different groups per the study protocol. The primary endpoint is the reduction in the duration of delayed gastric emptying, while secondary endpoints include the complete resolution of cardinal gastroparetic symptoms, such as abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. All study procedures adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the approved protocol.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07505927

Run by

Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

People needed

176

Starts

2026-04-01

Expected to finish

2028-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 18-80 years, regardless of sex.
• Patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy.
• Patients presenting with postoperative gastroparesis symptoms, confirmed by imaging or gastric emptying scintigraphy, and clinically diagnosed with gastroparesis.
• No severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or coagulation dysfunction.
• No participation in other interventional clinical trials within the past month.
• Able to provide written informed consent and comply with the treatment and follow-up procedures.

You may not qualify if…

• Patients with severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, hepatic or renal failure, or coagulation disorders.
• Patients who develop serious postoperative complications after partial gastrectomy, such as anastomotic leakage, gastrointestinal bleeding, or severe infections, or conditions that may affect the assessment of gastric motility, such as ascites or intestinal obstruction.
• Patients with a known allergy to acupuncture or with skin damage, infection, or severe scarring at the needle insertion sites that would prevent proper acupoint selection or needling.
• Patients with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, or those unable to cooperate with treatment procedures, symptom assessment, or follow-up.
• Patients who have used medications that may significantly affect gastric motility within the past week and cannot discontinue their use.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with other special physiological conditions that may make them unsuitable for participation in acupuncture research.

Where it is running

• Qilu hospital — Jinan, Shandong, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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