Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for intercostobrachial nerve syndrome: clinical trial protocolTrial Plans to Test Acupoint Stimulation for Nerve Pain

Frontiers in Medicine Published June 21, 2026 Study authors: Qilian Xia, Linna Wu, Yuhuan Sun, Shumo Li, Xingtai Hu, Zekai Liang, Ziyou Zhang, Aimei Jiang, Rong … DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work

Key Takeaway

Note that this is a study protocol; no results are available to inform current clinical management of ICBN syndrome.

This randomized controlled trial protocol outlines an investigation into the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for patients with intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) syndrome following breast cancer surgery. The study will enroll 200 participants at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The primary outcome measure is CMS, while secondary outcomes include MMT, EMG, VAS, SWMT, FACT-B, SF-36, and TCM-SD. Patients will be randomized to receive either TEAS or a sham TEAS intervention to determine the impact on nerve syndrome symptoms.

Safety data, including adverse events and tolerability, are not yet available as the trial has not been conducted. The study's primary limitation is that it is currently only a protocol; therefore, no clinical results or evidence of efficacy can be established at this time.

This research aims to provide evidence-based medical information for clinical practice regarding TEAS for ICBN syndrome. However, because the trial has not been conducted, these findings cannot yet inform specific treatment decisions.

Researchers are preparing a study to investigate how transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) affects patients with intercostobrachial nerve syndrome. This specific condition involves nerve pain that often occurs following breast cancer surgery. The trial will involve 200 patients at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The study is currently in the protocol stage, which means it is a plan for a future study rather than a completed investigation. Because the study has not been conducted yet, there are no results available regarding whether the treatment is effective or safe. The researchers will compare the actual stimulation to a sham treatment to see if any differences occur.

Patients and families should know that this research is in its early planning stages. Since no data exists yet, these findings cannot be used to guide current medical decisions. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider for any concerns regarding nerve pain or post-surgical recovery.

What this means for you:

This study is currently a protocol only; results are not available and the treatment has not been tested yet.

Common questions

Is this treatment currently available for nerve pain?

Because the study is only a protocol, there are no results yet to determine if this treatment works. The trial has not been conducted, so it cannot be used as a current medical recommendation. You should talk to your doctor about current options for managing nerve pain after surgery.

Who is the study intended to help?

The planned study specifically targets patients who have intercostobrachial nerve syndrome following breast cancer surgery. The goal of the research is to eventually provide evidence for clinical practice regarding this specific type of nerve pain.

Study Details

Study typeRct

EvidenceLevel 2

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) syndrome is a common peripheral sensory nerve injury following axillary surgery for breast cancer. It is characterized by persistent numbness and burning pain extending from the affected axilla to the medial aspect of the upper arm, as well as restricted shoulder joint mobility, which severely impacts postoperative recovery and quality of life. Current interventions primarily focus on symptomatic analgesia and functional exercises, lacking standardized external treatment protocols to promote nerve repair. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combines the advantages of acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. It is non-invasive and has high patient acceptance. Preliminary studies suggest it can promote axonal regeneration and myelin formation, yet scientific evidence-based evidence for ICBN syndrome is lacking. This study aims to systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of TEAS on ICBN syndrome through a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial, providing evidence-based medical evidence for clinical practice. This prospective, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will be conducted at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We plan to recruit 200 patients with ICBN syndrome after breast cancer surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the TEAS group or the Sham TEAS group, with 100 cases in each group. Both groups will start receiving treatment on the first postoperative day, administered once every other day. Ten sessions will constitute one course, for a total of three courses. The primary outcome measure is CMS. Secondary outcome measures include MMT, EMG, VAS, SWMT, FACT-B, SF-36, and TCM-SD. Adverse events will be recorded throughout the study. https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/mgt/project/view/2041939715654978881, identifier, ITMCTR2024000864.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for intercostobrachial nerve syndrome: clinical trial protocolTrial Plans to Test Acupoint Stimulation for Nerve Pain

Common questions

Study Details

Transbronchial biopsy with 1.1-mm cryoprobe yields 88.6% diagnosis versus 78.8% with 2.0-mm forceps

Cryoprobe biopsy shows higher success rate for diagnosing lung conditions

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for intercostobrachial nerve syndrome: clinical trial protocolTrial Plans to Test Acupoint Stimulation for Nerve Pain

Common questions

Study Details

Transbronchial biopsy with 1.1-mm cryoprobe yields 88.6% diagnosis versus 78.8% with 2.0-mm forceps

Cryoprobe biopsy shows higher success rate for diagnosing lung conditions

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Related in Oncology

From Other Specialties