RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Acupuncture for Pain Control After Ambulatory Knee Arthroscopy

This research wants to find out if using acupuncture can reduce pain after common keyhole knee surgery. The study involves 60 patients and will compare two groups: one group will receive standard pain relief after their surgery plus acupuncture, while the other group will only receive standard pain relief. Researchers will be looking at how strong the pain is, how much pain medication people need, and how well they can move their knee after surgery. The aim is to see if acupuncture could be a helpful additional way to control pain and aid recovery for people having this type of knee operation.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Medicine Greifswald

Enrolment target

Start

01 Feb 2019

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Postoperative Pain; Knee Arthroscopy; Acupuncture

What is this study about?

Imagine you're having keyhole surgery on your knee, a common operation often used for things like repairing cartilage. Afterwards, it's normal to feel some pain, and doctors usually give you medicine to help with this. This study is exploring a different approach – whether adding acupuncture to your usual pain relief could make a difference.

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment where very fine needles are gently placed into specific points on the body. This study wants to see if this can reduce the amount of pain you feel, or even lessen how much pain medication you need after your knee surgery. They also want to see if it helps you get moving more easily and quickly.

Researchers will be carefully comparing two groups of people who are all having keyhole knee surgery. One group will receive acupuncture in addition to their standard pain treatment, while the other group will just receive the standard pain treatment. By doing this, they hope to learn if acupuncture can be a safe and effective extra tool for managing pain and helping people recover better after this type of surgery.

Key takeaways

Investigating acupuncture for pain after keyhole knee surgery.
Compares acupuncture plus standard pain relief to standard pain relief alone.
Looks at pain levels, pain medicine needed, and ability to move.
Participants must be 19-55 years old with straightforward knee surgery.
Aims to find out if acupuncture is a helpful extra pain control method.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be an adult between 19 and 55 years old who is scheduled for a planned, straightforward keyhole knee operation. This surgery should be under general anaesthetic and last no longer than 80 minutes.

It's important that you haven't taken strong pain medicines (opioids) or certain other medications for mental health conditions in the past. You also shouldn't have any skin infections where the acupuncture needles would be placed.

There are also reasons you couldn't join, such as having a current mental health condition, if your surgery takes longer than expected, or if you couldn't understand or fill in the study forms.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 19 and 55 years old?
Are you having a planned keyhole knee surgery?
Will your knee surgery take less than 80 minutes?
Do you have any skin infections where needles would be placed?
Have you taken strong pain medicines (opioids) in the last 6 months?
Have you been diagnosed with a mental health condition?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you would have your keyhole knee surgery as planned. Depending on which group you're in, you would either receive standard pain relief only, or standard pain relief along with acupuncture. The acupuncture would involve small, fine needles, which are left in place for a period after surgery.

Researchers would then ask you about your pain levels and how much pain relief you're taking. They would also check things like your ability to move your knee and any potential side effects. You would likely fill out questionnaires to share your experiences. The total duration of your participation would focus on the period immediately after your surgery and your recovery at home.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study could be better pain control after your knee surgery if acupuncture proves effective. This might mean less reliance on pain medication and a quicker return to movement. As with any medical procedure, there are always some potential risks, though acupuncture is generally considered safe. These could include minor bruising or discomfort at the needle sites, or very rarely, infection. Remember, you can always change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University Medicine of Greifswald
Verified postcode
Greifswald, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of knee surgery is this for?

This study is for people having common keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery on their knee.

What is 'standard pain treatment'?

Standard pain treatment refers to the usual medicines and care doctors give to help manage pain after your surgery.

Will the acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very fine, and most people report feeling little to no pain, perhaps just a mild sensation or pressure.

How long will the acupuncture needles stay in?

The study mentions 'indwelling fixed needles,' which means they are designed to stay in place for a period, though the exact duration isn't specified here.

Can I still join if I'm taking antidepressants?

No, if you're currently taking certain medications for mental health conditions, including antidepressants, you would not be eligible for this specific study.

How to find out more

Taras Usichenko, MD, PhD

taras@uni-greifswald.de 00490383486 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.