Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Accelerates the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function after Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Gastrointestinal functional recovery is an important factor affecting postoperative outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on gastrointestinal function in women undergoing cesarean section. Methods 150 pregnant women undergoing cesarean section were randomly allocated into TEAS, nonacupoint stimulation (sham group), and no stimulation (control group). The primary outcome was indications of gastrointestinal functional recovery and the secondary outcomes included time to first mobilization, postoperative hospital stay, daily living activities at one week after surgery, postoperative side-effects, and serum levels of gastroenterological hormones. Results The time to first flatus in TEAS group was significantly shorter compared to control (P=0.004) and sham groups (P=0.003). The time to first oral liquid and solid intake was significantly shorter than that in control (P<0.001; P=0.021) and sham group (P=0.019; P=0.037). Besides, postoperative hospital stay was shorter in TEAS group than in control group (P=0.031) and sham group (P<0.001). TEAS also promoted daily living activities (P=0.001 versus control group and P=0.015 versus sham group). Postoperative complications were similar among all the groups except for the incidence of abdominal distention 24 h after surgery (P=0.013; P=0.040). The motilin level was increased by TEAS (P=0.014 versus control group and P=0.020 versus sham group). Conclusion TEAS accelerated gastrointestinal functional recovery after cesarean section, by reducing postoperative hospital length, and improved daily living activities after surgery. This effect was partially mediated by regulation of the gastroenterological hormones.

The Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

“…Besides, patients in the TEAS group showed a better recovery at postoperative 24 hours and 48 hours. Previous studies have demonstrated that TEAS twice with bilateral zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) could shorten the time of first flatus, the time to first oral liquid and solid intake, and the postoperative hospital stay and reduced postoperative complaints [ 28 , 29 ]. In addition, another study [ 30 ] showed that 14 sessions of moxibustion on participants undergoing depression could significantly adjust depression-related fatigue and increase the safety of the treatment.…”

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic surgery

“…Six articles stated that the random sequence generation was low risk (6,10,(13)(14)(15)(16). One article had an unclear risk of bias (17).…”

“…One article had an unclear risk of bias (17). Six articles had a low risk of allocation hidden bias (6,10,(14)(15)(16)(17). In relation to the risk of bias for blinding participants and researchers, 2 studies had low risk bias (14,16) and 3 had high risk bias (10,15,17).…”

“…Six articles had a low risk of allocation hidden bias (6,10,(14)(15)(16)(17). In relation to the risk of bias for blinding participants and researchers, 2 studies had low risk bias (14,16) and 3 had high risk bias (10,15,17). Five articles described the risk of bias in blinded results assessment [low risk =2 (14,16), and high risk =3 (10,15,17)].…”

“…In relation to the risk of bias for blinding participants and researchers, 2 studies had low risk bias (14,16) and 3 had high risk bias (10,15,17). Five articles described the risk of bias in blinded results assessment [low risk =2 (14,16), and high risk =3 (10,15,17)]. All articles had a low risk of bias for incomplete outcome data, selective reporting domains, and other (see Figure 7).…”