Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Control During First Trimester Abortion
NCT03187002 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
High-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve-stimulation (TENS) is an inexpensive and non-invasive pain control approach. TENS, pulsating electrical currents that activate underlying nerves, does not have drug interactions or risk of overdose. Cochrane review of TENS for acute pain found inconclusive evidence. One previous abortion trial comparing TENS to IV sedation only looked at pain control in the recovery room. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial comparing TENS to IV sedation (in conjunction with local anesthesia) among women presenting for first-trimester surgical abortion. Primary outcome will be perceived pain by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during aspiration.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- DRUG Moderate IV Sedation
- OTHER SHAM: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- OTHER SHAM: Moderate IV Sedation
Study Locations (1)
California
- Planned Parenthood Mar Monte — San Jose
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 109 participants |
| Start Date | 2018-01-18 |
| Est. Completion | 2019-10-31 |
| Phase | NA |
Interested in This Trial?
Always speak with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03187002
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03187002 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 109 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Stanford University, which has 1,643 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Abortion in First Trimester appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 4 interventions — of which Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03187002 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include California. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03187002 about?
NCT03187002 is a clinical study titled "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Control During First Trimester Abortion". High-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve-stimulation (TENS) is an inexpensive and non-invasive pain control approach. TENS, pulsating electrical currents that activate underlying nerves, does not have drug interactions or risk of overdose. Cochrane review of TENS for acute pain...
What is the current status of trial NCT03187002?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 109 participants. The study started on 2018-01-18. Estimated completion is 2019-10-31.
What conditions does trial NCT03187002 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Abortion in First Trimester. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03187002?
The interventions under investigation include: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (DEVICE), Moderate IV Sedation (DRUG), SHAM: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (OTHER), SHAM: Moderate IV Sedation (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03187002?
This trial is sponsored by Stanford University, which has 1,643 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03187002 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across California. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How Clinical Trials Work
Understand phases 1-4, trial design, randomization, and the informed consent process.
Patient Rights in Clinical Trials
Your rights as a participant: consent, withdrawal, privacy, and who to contact.
Finding the Right Clinical Trial
A practical guide to searching trials, understanding eligibility, and evaluating options.
All Guides
Browse our complete library of clinical trial educational resources.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.