Study on Neostigmine Acupoint Injection at Zusanli(ST36) for Treating Mechanical Ventilation-Associated Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

July 2, 2026 updated by: Ling Liu, Southeast University, China

A Single-Center,Randomized Controlled Study on Neostigmine Acupoint Injection at Zusanli(ST36) for Treating Mechanical Ventilation-Associated Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

Mechanical ventilation is a common method of respiratory support for critically ill patients, and gastrointestinal dysfunction (GIDF) is a frequent complication. In the ICU, more than 60% of mechanically ventilated patients experience gastrointestinal dysfunction. Currently, the exact causes of mechanical ventilation-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction remain unclear, but they primarily include increased intra-abdominal pressure resulting from positive-pressure ventilation, which inhibits gastrointestinal motility; inflammatory responses, prolonged bed rest, electrolyte imbalances, and the use of sedatives, analgesics, and even muscle relaxants . Manifestations such as gastroparesis and constipation further lead to delayed gastric emptying, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and heightened risks of bacterial translocation, multiple organ failure, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Primary Objective is to investigate, through a prospective randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of neostigmine injection at the Zusanli acupoint compared to Zusanli acupoint stimulation alone or subcutaneous neostigmine injection in improving gastrointestinal function in patients with mechanical ventilation and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Secondary objectives: （1）To evaluate the effects of acupoint injection of neostigmine on the duration of mechanical ventilation, enteral nutrition intake, and ICU length of stay in critically ill patients; （2）To assess the safety of acupoint injection of neostigmine.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
90

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Respiratory failure due to any cause requiring mechanical ventilation, with an anticipated duration of mechanical ventilation of ≥48 hours;
  • No spontaneous bowel movements for ≥48 hours or increased gastric residual volume (gastric residual volume >500 mL within 24 hours);
  • Anticipated ICU stay of ≥3 days;
  • Age ≥18 years and ≤85 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Use of prokinetic agents, subcutaneous or acupoint injections of neostigmine, or acupuncture at the Zusanli acupoint within 12 hours prior to enrollment;
  • History of gastrointestinal surgery within the past 8 weeks; diarrhea within the past week; or history of severe gastrointestinal diseases such as mechanical intestinal obstruction, intestinal ischemia and necrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or active gastrointestinal bleeding;
  • Patients with an allergy to neostigmine or contraindications to its use, such as mechanical intestinal obstruction, urinary tract obstruction, bronchial asthma, bradycardia, hypotension, epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease;
  • Patients unable to undergo acupoint injection due to skin lesions, infection, limb loss, or inability to cooperate at the Zusanli acupoint;
  • Patients currently requiring routine treatment with neostigmine or similar cholinesterase inhibitors for other indications (e.g., myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease);
  • Patients with a platelet count <50 × 10⁹/L on complete blood count or severe coagulation disorders (International Normalized Ratio [INR] >3);
  • Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) or hepatic encephalopathy;
  • End-stage renal failure requiring dialysis prior to admission;
  • Patients with hemodynamic instability (norepinephrine equivalent > 1.0 μg/kg·min);
  • Patients who have participated in other interventional clinical trials within the past month;
  • Pregnant, perinatal, or lactating women.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: neostigmine injection at the acupoints
Drug: Neostigmine Acupoint Injection
On the basis of standard treatment, neostigmine was injected into the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoints. The patient was placed in the supine position with knees flexed. Following routine local disinfection, a 5 mL disposable syringe was used to extract 0.5 mg of neostigmine for vertical subcutaneous needling and injection. Upon needle withdrawal, the puncture site was compressed with sterile cotton swabs for hemostasis. The identical procedure was applied to the contralateral Zusanli acupoint. The intervention period is 1 day, with interventions administered twice daily (bid), 12 hours apart.
Active Comparator: intramuscular injection of normal saline
Drug: Acupoint normal saline injection
On the basis of standard treatment, normal saline was injected into bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoints. The patient was placed in the supine position with knees flexed. After routine local disinfection, a 5 mL disposable syringe was used for vertical needle insertion, and an equal volume of normal saline was injected subcutaneously into each acupoint. Following injection, the needle was withdrawn, and the puncture site was compressed with sterile cotton swabs for hemostasis.The intervention period is 1 day, with interventions administered twice daily (bid), 12 hours apart.
Active Comparator: subcutaneous injection of neostigmine
Drug: Neostigmine subcutaneous injection
On the basis of standard treatment, subcutaneous injection was performed at non-acupoint sites. A 5 mL disposable syringe was used to aspirate 1 mg of neostigmine injection for single-site injection. The injection site received routine disinfection beforehand. Following the injection, the needle was withdrawn, and the puncture site was compressed with sterile cotton swabs for hemostasis.The intervention period is 1 day, with interventions administered twice daily (bid), 12 hours apart.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Remission rate of gastrointestinal symptoms within 24 hours
Time Frame: within 24 hours after treatment
Gastrointestinal symptom relief is defined as meeting both recovery of spontaneous defecation (i.e., the first defecation after initial intervention with a defecation volume > 100 mL) and improvement in 24-hour gastric retention (24-hour gastric retention volume ≤ 500 mL).
within 24 hours after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ICU mortality
Time Frame: up to 24 months
the survival rate(survival/total) during ICU stay
up to 24 months
28-day mortality
Time Frame: From randomization to Day 28
Mortality was calculated on day 28 of treatment
From randomization to Day 28
Length of ICU stay
Time Frame: up to 28 days
Time of staying in ICU within 28 days
up to 28 days
Infection condition
Time Frame: From randomization to Day 28
Infection condition within 28 days
From randomization to Day 28
28-day vasopressor-free days
Time Frame: From randomization to Day 28
28-day vasopressor-free days is defined as a continuous period of 28 days, beginning from the time a patient is weaned from shock, circulatory failure, or mechanical circulatory support, during which no vasoactive drugs are used at any time, and the patient maintains stable circulation without the need for vasopressors agents to sustain blood pressure and tissue perfusion.
From randomization to Day 28
28-day ventilator-free days
Time Frame: From randomization to Day 28
Ventilator-free days are defined as the number of days alive and free from invasive mechanical ventilation during the first 28 days after randomization.
From randomization to Day 28
Length of hospital stay
Time Frame: prior to hospital discharge
Length of hospital stay
prior to hospital discharge
Enteral Nutrition Prescription
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment,on day 7 of treatment
Enteral Nutrition Prescription was recorded before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment,and on day 7 of treatment.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment,on day 7 of treatment
Intra-abdominal pressure(mmHg)
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
The patient was placed in the supine position. A urinary catheter was inserted transurethrally and connected to a three-way stopcock. Then 25 mL of 0.9% normal saline was injected. Taking the level of the pubic symphysis as the zero point, the water column height at the end of expiration was measured and recorded.IAP readings must be converted to mmHg.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Bowel sounds
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Bowel sounds (times/min) were auscultated daily at a fixed time point before and after treatment over the right lower abdomen with a stethoscope. Each continuous auscultation lasted 3 minutes; the frequency of bowel sounds per minute was recorded, and the mean value of three repeated measurements was calculated.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
motilin
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Venous blood samples of 2 mL were collected in the early morning before treatment, on day 1 and day 3 after treatment. The levels of motilin (MTL) were determined and recorded.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
gastrin
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Venous blood samples of 2 mL were collected in the early morning before treatment, on day 1 and day 3 after treatment. The levels of gastrin (GAS) were determined and recorded.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
vasoactive intestinal peptide
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Venous blood samples of 2 mL were collected in the early morning before treatment, on day 1 and day 3 after treatment. The levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were determined and recorded.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
electrogastroenterography changes:FP(cpm)
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
An electrogastroenterograph (Model EGEG-8D) was adopted. During examination, all subjects were placed in the supine position. Electrogastroenterography was performed before treatment, at 1 day and 3 days after treatment, and the main frequency (FP) (cpm) were recorded.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
hemoglobin
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Hemoglobin(g/L) are measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of nutritional condition.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
albumin
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Serum albumin levels(g/L) are measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of nutritional condition.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
prealbumin
Time Frame: before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
Serum prealbumin levels(mg/L) are measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of nutritional condition.
before treatment,on day 1 of treatment,on day 3 of treatment
White blood cell count
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Serum White blood cell count (10^9/L) is measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of a systemic inflammatory response.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Lymphocyte count
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Serum lymphocyte count (10^9/L) is measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of a systemic inflammatory response.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
C-reactive protein
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Serum C-reactive protein levels(mg/L) are measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of a systemic inflammatory response.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Procalcitonin
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Serum procalcitonin protein levels(ng/mL) are measured at baseline ,Day1, and Day3 as a marker of a systemic inflammatory response.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
electrogastroenterography changes:FC(cpm)
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
An electrogastroenterograph (Model EGEG-8D) was adopted. During examination, all subjects were placed in the supine position. Electrogastroenterography was performed before treatment, at 1 day and 3 days after treatment, and the mean frequency (FC) were recorded.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
electrogastroenterography changes:AP(uV)
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
An electrogastroenterograph (Model EGEG-8D) was adopted. During examination, all subjects were placed in the supine position. Electrogastroenterography was performed before treatment, at 1 day and 3 days after treatment, and amplitude was recorded.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Actual feeding amount
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment, on day 7 of treatment.
Actual feeding amount (kcal)was recorded before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment, on day 7 of treatment.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment, on day 7 of treatment.
Intestinal diameter
Time Frame: before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment
Using a Philips ultrasound machine, the intestinal diameter（cm） was assessed by scanning with a convex probe while the patient was in the supine position before treatment, 1 day after treatment, and 3 days after treatment.
before treatment, on day 1 of treatment, on day 3 of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Southeast University, China

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 26, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 2, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ST36 Acupoint injection
  • 2026ZDSYLL103-P01 (Other Identifier: Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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