Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on major complications after cerebral endovascular procedures (ASSET): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) administered during surgery on major morbidity after cerebral endovascular procedures. Methods: A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted in Xijing hospital. 158 participants scheduled for cerebral endovascular procedures are randomly assigned to the TEAS group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio, receiving TEAS and no stimulation, respectively. The primary outcome is the incidence of in-hospital major complications after surgery. The secondary outcomes include the VAS score of pain and the QoR-40 score at 1 day and 3 days after surgery, the incidence of major complications and mortality by 30 days and 90 days after surgery, and the length of postoperative hospital stay. Ethics and Dissemination: This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Xijing hospital. All participants are required to provide written informed consent. This study will be published on completion in peer-reviewed publications. Conclusion: The results of this study will provide evidence of TEAS as a standardized perioperative adjunctive therapy for patients undergoing cerebral endovascular procedures. Trials Registration Number: NCT05413460.