Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Urinary Retention After Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: Study Protocol for A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Guangliang Li,1,* Nisang Chen,2,* Xiaoyu Li,2,* Dehou Deng,3 Wenlong Bao,3 Chunlan Wang,4 Lingqin Zhao,4 Peipei Wang,3 Yi Liang,5 Chao Lu3 1Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Acupuncture, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Chao Lu, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, No. 1, East Banshan Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, 310022, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Yi Liang, Department of Acupuncture, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 219 Moganshan Road, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication in women after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer and may substantially impair quality of life. Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) has shown potential in alleviating POUR, but its efficacy remains to be further evaluated. This pilot study aims to preliminarily evaluate the effect of TEAS in women who develop POUR after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.Methods and Analysis: This protocol describes a prospective, single-blinded, single-center pilot randomized controlled trial that will compare TEAS with sham TEAS for the management of POUR after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. A total of 76 eligible patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the TEAS group or the sham TEAS group. Participants in the TEAS group will receive TEAS once daily for 2 weeks, while those in the sham TEAS group will receive sham stimulation on the same schedule. The primary outcome is the change in post-void residual (PVR) volume. Secondary outcomes include the rate of successful urinary catheter removal, incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), and quality of life assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Safety will also be evaluated. All statistical analyses will be conducted according to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle.Ethics/Dissemination: The trial has received ethics approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital (14 October 2025; IRB-2025-1262). Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals to inform clinical decision-making in POUR management.Trial Registration Number: ITMCTR2025002091.Keywords: transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, TEAS, postoperative urinary retention, POUR, post-void residual, PVR, cervical cancer, study protocol