Effect of Intraoperative Electroacupuncture on Postoperative Pain, Analgesic Requirements, Nausea and Sedation: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture has potential value in producing analgesia in the postoperative period, but previous trials have inconsistent results. We aimed to study the effect of electroacupuncture on pain and nausea and the requirement for postoperative analgesia via patientcontrolled analgesia. Method: 107 patients who were undergoing abdominal hysterectomy or laparascopic cholecystectomy were randomised to receive either electroacupuncture (n = 56) or no additional treatment (n = 46) during the operative period. We measured the use of patient-controlled analgesia and time in recovery as well as pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sedation. 102 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of patients were female: the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group included 10 males. Adhesive dressings were placed over all acupuncture points in both groups, to ensure blinding of patients and assessors during the recovery period.

Randomised, Controlled Study of Preoperative Eletroacupuncture for Postoperative Pain Control after Cardiac Surgery

“…12 One possibility for the negative fi ndings of a recent study 26 on the use of EA during surgery was the use of a single frequency of higher stimulation (10 Hz). The use of a single frequency favours neuronal accommodation, reducing its therapeutic effect.…”

Effect of Perioperative Electroacupuncture as An Adjunctive Therapy on Postoperative Analgesia with Tramadol and Ketamine in Prostatectomy: A Randomised Sham-Controlled Single-Blind Trial

“…The use of adhesive tapes on all acupuncture sites of all patients was also designed to ensure that neither the patients nor the staff caring for them knew which treatment was given to each patient. 18 Also, we could ask patients afterwards if they understood to which group they belonged. The measurements could have been continued for an additional 24 h.…”

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with palonosetron on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial

“…However, it is possible that an extended treatment time and the selection of different acupoints (particularly in the form of combined points) might offer more promising results. Previous studies indicated that stimulation on the acupoint Neiguan (P6) was an effective anti-emetic technique for the prevention of CINV [18, 19], and stimulation on the acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4) showed similar results [20–23]. Stimulation on two or more acupoints may improve anti-emetic efficacy, but it lacks the support of clinical trial data.…”