Electroacupuncture analgesia for colonoscopy: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Acupuncture may decrease the demand for sedative drugs during colonoscopy by reducing discomfort and anxiety of the patient and the well-known adverse effects of pharmacologic sedation.

Sham Electroacupuncture Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Among them, 5 studies29549095107 were published between 1992 and 1999; 33 studies22242527303138454752535657586768717273747778818384929397104105106110111 were published between 2000 and 2010; the remaining 56 studies1819202123262832333435363739404142434446484950515559606162636465666970757679808285868788899194969899100101102103108109 were reported from 2010 to 2015 (Fig. 2).…”

“…2). Indications for EA included pain (32 studies)1819212426273133363740424547515256606667727682848890929697103110111, anesthesia (8 studies)46507374868994102, stroke (7 studies)2528293462105106, depression (6 studies)235359656880, obesity (4 studies)32495470, primary dysmenorrheal/menstrual pain (4 studies)619899101, substance abuse (heroin or smoking) (3 studies)6495107, osteoarthritis (2 studies)22104, migraine (2 studies)3978, nausea and vomiting (2 studies)3857, postoperative ileus (2 studies)3591, insomnia (2 studies)6381, benign prostate hyperplasia (2 studies)7987, diabetic mellitus related diseases (2 studies)83109, carpal tunnel syndrome (1 study)100, rheumatoid arthritis (1 study)93, whiplash-associated disorders (1 study)69, constipation (1 study)48, multiple sclerosis (1 study)41, tinnitus (1 study)20, auditory hallucination (1 study)30, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1 study)…”

“…Eight studies utilized pricking sensation to mimic needle sensation and blind participants in control group2021235260636781. Forty-two studies1920212226272831323334353739404243444647505158606162646566707177787983858992100104105106 applied EA at high intensity with maximum tolerance, and seventeen studies24295456598082868790959899102107108111 applied EA with low intensity below pain threshold or at a comfortable level with presence or absence of muscle contractions. The other trials were lacking in details on the intensity of stimulation.…”

“…The duration of each session ranged from 5 minutes100 to 72 hours96; the total number of treatment sessions varied from 1333738394647505152727377828486888994959697100101102109 to 7244; the total duration of treatment ranged from 5 minutes100 to 6 months111. Ten studies274672767779899097102 did not report the duration of each session. In one study76, the total number of treatment session was not mentioned.…”

“…In one study76, the total number of treatment session was not mentioned. Eight studies27467276778997102 did not provide any information on the total duration of treatment. The characteristics of the studies were listed in Table 1.…”