Electrical stimulation to reduce anxiety and pain after gallbladder surgery

Gallbladder removal surgery is common, but many patients experience significant pain afterward—pain that is often treated with strong opioid medications that can cause unwanted side effects. This trial is testing whether Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a non-invasive device that delivers mild electrical currents through electrodes on your skin, can safely reduce both pain and anxiety after surgery. The goal is to help patients recover better and feel more satisfied with their surgical care.

Many people need pain relief after gallbladder surgery, but opioid medications come with risks including nausea, drowsiness, and potential for problematic long-term use. Researchers want to find non-medication alternatives that are safe, low-cost, and effective—and early evidence suggests this treatment may help with not just pain, but also the anxiety and worry patients feel around surgery.