Electrical Stimulation at Acupuncture Points for Cough After Lung Cancer Surgery

This study is testing transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES)—a non-drug treatment that uses mild electrical pulses applied to specific acupuncture points on your skin—to help reduce lingering cough after lung cancer surgery. Some participants will receive the active electrical stimulation, while others will receive a sham (placebo) version where electrodes are placed but no electrical current is delivered. The goal is to find out whether this gentle, non-invasive approach can safely improve quality of life for lung cancer patients struggling with persistent cough after their operation.

After lung cancer surgery, many patients develop a persistent dry cough that can last weeks or months and significantly impact their quality of life. Currently, treatment options are limited, so researchers are looking for safe, non-drug alternatives that might help—and this trial is investigating whether electrical stimulation at acupuncture points could be that solution.