The ACURE Trial: Acupuncture for Colorectal Recovery

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer requiring scheduled curative-intent resection.
* Age between 18 and 79 years, inclusive.
* Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent.
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I, II, or III.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* History of major abdominal surgery within the past 4 weeks.
* Receipt of chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the past 6 months.
* History of organ transplantation with rejection episodes within the past 30 days.
* Presence of active infection (e.g., tuberculosis, sepsis, peritonitis).
* Positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV with an uncontrolled viral load.
* Severe malnutrition, defined as a Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002) score ≥ 3.
* History of total colectomy or requirement for ileorectal anastomosis.
* Requirement for multivisceral resection due to tumor invasion.
* Scheduled for prophylactic stoma creation.
* Moderate to severe cognitive impairment, epilepsy, or uncontrolled neurological disorders.
* Active psychiatric illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) that may interfere with study compliance.
* Severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency (e.g., New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] class IV heart failure or requirement for long-term oxygen therapy).
* Presence of open wounds, skin infections, or known allergies at or near the designated acupuncture sites.

History of adverse reactions to acupuncture, including syncope (fainting) or needle phobia.

Participation in another clinical trial within the past 6 months.

Anticipated inability to complete the study protocol due to physical, psychological, or logistical reasons.