Needleless Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation: A Pilot Study Evaluating Improvement in Post-Operative Recovery

Abstract

Needleless TEA improves major postoperative symptoms by enhancing vagal and suppressing sympathetic activities.

Effects and Mechanisms of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation on Postoperative Recovery After Elective Cesarean Section

“…The main features of TEA include the use of selective acupoints, use of optimized parameters and improvement in autonomic functions(15, 18–22). Clinical studies have confirmed the therapeutic effect of TEA on a variety of GI motility disorders, such as gastro‐esophageal reflux diseases (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), constipation, chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting, and so on(15, 18–22). TEA has been shown effective in treating functional constipation and constipation secondary to other reasons, such as stroke(15, 19, 23).…”

Prokinetic effects of spinal cord stimulation and its autonomic mechanisms in dogs

“…A special amplifier with a recording frequency of 100 Hz (model 2283 Fti Universal Fetrode Amplifier; UFI, Morro Bay, CA) was used to record the ECG signal from cutaneous electrodes: (a) The dog's skin where electrodes were to be placed was cleaned with special skin‐prep gel (Nuprep; Weaver and Company, Aurora); (b) conductive gel (Ten20; Weaver and Company, Aurora) was applied to reduce electrode‐skin impedance; and (c) three regular ECG electrodes were placed at the apical, the inside of the right hind leg, and the offside of the apical . After the deletion of the recording with severe motion artifacts due to occasional movement of the animal, the heart rate variability (HRV) signal was derived using a custom‐made software by identifying R peaks and calculating consecutive RR intervals from the ECG; then, the power spectrum analysis of the HRV signal was performed to calculate the power in different frequency bands . The power in the low‐frequency (LF) band (0.04‐0.15 Hz) reflects mainly sympathetic activity, whereas the power in the high‐frequency (HF) band (0.15‐0.50 Hz) stands purely parasympathetic or vagal activity .…”

“…After the deletion of the recording with severe motion artifacts due to occasional movement of the animal, the heart rate variability (HRV) signal was derived using a custom‐made software by identifying R peaks and calculating consecutive RR intervals from the ECG; then, the power spectrum analysis of the HRV signal was performed to calculate the power in different frequency bands . The power in the low‐frequency (LF) band (0.04‐0.15 Hz) reflects mainly sympathetic activity, whereas the power in the high‐frequency (HF) band (0.15‐0.50 Hz) stands purely parasympathetic or vagal activity . In this study, the standardized values were used, that is, LF was defined as LF/(HF + LF) and HF as HF/(HF + LF) .…”

“…The power in the low‐frequency (LF) band (0.04‐0.15 Hz) reflects mainly sympathetic activity, whereas the power in the high‐frequency (HF) band (0.15‐0.50 Hz) stands purely parasympathetic or vagal activity . In this study, the standardized values were used, that is, LF was defined as LF/(HF + LF) and HF as HF/(HF + LF) . The SCS stimulation (output current of <1 mA) did not generate any artifacts in the ECG recording nor the gastric slow waves/manometric recording.…”

Ameliorating Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Combined With Deep Breathing Training on Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Mediated via the Autonomic Pathway

“…The newly developed transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) is a noninvasive and needleless method, with electrical stimulation delivered to acupoints via surface electrodes and is well accepted by patients . According to a few recent preliminary studies, TEA at ST36 and PC6 seems able to improve symptoms and motility in patients with GERD , FD , and postsurgical recovery . It has been reported that TEA can improve the symptoms of dyspepsia by enhancing vagus nerve activity and inhibiting sympathetic nerve activity .…”