Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on quality of postoperative recovery following major abdominal surgery: a study protocol for a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial
- 1Department of Anesthesia Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- 2Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
Abstract
Background: Major abdominal surgery is a primary therapeutic strategy for various abdominal diseases, but it is often related to severe postoperative pain, complications, and delayed recovery. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive neuromodulatory technique, may influence pain processing, emotional regulation, and other neural functions relevant to postoperative recovery. However, its role in improving quality of postoperative recovery remains insufficiently investigated, particularly with respect to patient-reported recovery outcomes.
Methods/design: This investigation is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study. A total of 208 participants undergoing major abdominal surgery will be classified into receiving either active or sham rTMS in a random manner. Active stimulation will be delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at 120% of the resting motor threshold (RMT) and 10 Hz. The primary outcome is the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 h postoperatively. Exploratory secondary outcomes include QoR-15 scores at additional time points, pain intensity, delirium incidence, opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), anxiety, patient satisfaction, and gastrointestinal recovery. Safety outcomes include adverse events (AEs). We will conduct the primary analysis according to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle, comprising all randomized participants.
Discussion: This investigation is designed to estimate whether rTMS can enhance quality of postoperative recovery in participants experiencing a major abdominal operation. The outcomes will provide evidence about the potential role of rTMS as a noninvasive adjunct in perioperative care and inform future multicenter trials.
Clinical Trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, identifier ChiCTR2600119250.
Related
- Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with antidepressants in major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, single-center, sham-controlled trial.
- Temporal association between adjunctive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and seizure reduction in a pediatric patient with DNM1L-associated EMPF1: a case report
- Case Report: Electroencephalography-informed low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the supplementary motor area in severe functional movement disorder
- Advancing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: Novel Protocols, Precision Targeting, and Future Directions
- 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for nitrous oxide dependence: a case report
BibTeX
@article{tu2026effects,
title = {{Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on quality of postoperative recovery following major abdominal surgery: a study protocol for a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial}},
author = {Junwen Tu and Shirong Wei and Yubin Shi and Sitong Zhou and Tong Zhi and Ming Yao and Huadong Ni},
journal = {Frontiers in Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmed.2026.1923206},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1923206},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on quality of postoperative recovery following major abdominal surgery: a study protocol for a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial
AU - Junwen Tu
AU - Shirong Wei
AU - Yubin Shi
AU - Sitong Zhou
AU - Tong Zhi
AU - Ming Yao
AU - Huadong Ni
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Medicine
DO - 10.3389/fmed.2026.1923206
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1923206
AB - Background: Major abdominal surgery is a primary therapeutic strategy for various abdominal diseases, but it is often related to severe postoperative pain, complications, and delayed recovery. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive neuromodulatory technique, may influence pain processing, emotional regulation, and other neural functions relevant to postoperative recovery. However, its role in improving quality of postoperative recovery remains insufficiently investigated, particularly with respect to patient-reported recovery outcomes. Methods/design: This investigation is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study. A total of 208 participants undergoing major abdominal surgery will be classified into receiving either active or sham rTMS in a random manner. Active stimulation will be delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at 120% of the resting motor threshold (RMT) and 10 Hz. The primary outcome is the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 h postoperatively. Exploratory secondary outcomes include QoR-15 scores at additional time points, pain intensity, delirium incidence, opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), anxiety, patient satisfaction, and gastrointestinal recovery. Safety outcomes include adverse events (AEs). We will conduct the primary analysis according to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle, comprising all randomized participants. Discussion: This investigation is designed to estimate whether rTMS can enhance quality of postoperative recovery in participants experiencing a major abdominal operation. The outcomes will provide evidence about the potential role of rTMS as a noninvasive adjunct in perioperative care and inform future multicenter trials. Clinical Trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, identifier ChiCTR2600119250.
SN - 2296-858X
ER -