Protocol for TEAS adjunct with PEG in elective colonoscopy bowel preparation

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 25, 2026 Medically reviewed April 25, 2026 Study authors: Yuanzhen Bai, Na Liu, Cheng Ye, Haifeng Jin, Yi Xu, Haibiao Bao, Liang Huang, Xue Ying, Bin Lv, Meng… DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Protocol only; no results available for TEAS adjunct with PEG in colonoscopy bowel preparation.

This document outlines a protocol for a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 404 patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) applied to the Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints when administered concomitantly with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The comparator group will receive sham-TEAS. The primary outcome is the rate of adequate bowel preparation, assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Secondary outcomes include colonoscope insertion and withdrawal times, cecal intubation rate, adenoma detection rate, first defecation time, total defecation frequency, final stool characteristics, and adverse event incidence.

As the study is currently a protocol, main results, safety data, and tolerability findings are not reported. Consequently, the rate of adequate bowel preparation, procedural times, and adverse event incidence remain unknown at this stage. The protocol does not report specific adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or overall tolerability rates. Follow-up duration is also not reported.

The stated practice relevance aims to establish TEAS as a scalable adjunct in bowel preparation protocols. However, because this is a protocol rather than a completed trial, no conclusions regarding clinical efficacy or safety can be drawn. Funding sources and conflicts of interest are not reported. The study design does not yet provide evidence to support or refute the use of TEAS alongside PEG for bowel preparation.

Study Details

Study typeRct

EvidenceLevel 2

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

High-quality bowel preparation is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the effectiveness of colonoscopy. Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) remains the first-line cleansing regimen recommended by clinical guidelines, its practical application still faces challenges in achieving adequate bowel preparation rates. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) shows promise in enhancing intestinal motility through gut-brain-microbiota modulation. However, its role in the field of intestinal cleansing remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial will enroll 404 patients undergoing elective colonoscopy. The participants will be randomly allocated to either the TEAS group or the sham-TEAS group, in a 1:1 ratio. TEAS was applied to stimulate the Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints using a clinically validated stimulation mode, administered concomitantly with PEG in a combined treatment protocol. The primary outcome measure was the rate of adequate bowel preparation, evaluated with the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Secondary endpoints encompass colonoscope insertion and withdrawal times, cecal intubation rate (CIR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), first defecation time, total defecation frequency, final stool characteristics, adverse event incidence, and satisfaction. By bridging traditional acupoint therapy with quantifiable neurogastroenterological outcomes, this study aims to establish TEAS as a scalable adjunct in bowel preparation protocols. International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR2025001121. Registered on April 30, 2025, http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/.