Perioperative Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Reduces Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to determine the effects of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative pain management in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Methods In the prospective, randomized, controlled study, a total of 84 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were randomly allocated to the TEAS group (Group T) or control group (Group C). Patients in the Group T received TEAS at Neiguan (PC6) and Hegu (LI4) acupoints for 30 min before anesthesia induction and 30 min after thoracoscopic surgery. Patients in the Group C received the same placement of electrodes but without electrical stimulation. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, remifentanil consumption, demand for rescue analgesics and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), patient satisfaction, and the levels of plasma β-endorphin (EP) and IL-6 were recorded. Results Patients in the Group T had significantly lower NRS pain scores at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery than those in the Group C. Compared with Group C, patients in Group T had lower remifentanil consumption during operation, lower demand for rescue analgesics and lower rate of PONV within 24 h after surgery. Patients in Group T also had lower IL-6 content, higher β-EP content and higher satisfaction degree than those in the Group C. Conclusions Perioperative TEAS significantly decreased postoperative pain and rescued analgesia requirements and the incidence of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 84 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Ferulic acid regulates the AKT/GSK-3β/CRMP-2 signaling pathway in a middle cerebral artery occlusion animal model
- Novel Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Parameters Quantify the Exposure–Effect Relationship of Levofloxacin against Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli
- Photochemical behavior of levofloxacin
- Correlation Between Dissolution Profiles of Salt-Form Drugs in Biorelevant Bicarbonate Buffer and Oral Drug Absorption: Importance of Dose/ Fluid Volume Ratio
- Evaluation of the synergistic potential and mechanisms of action for de novo designed cationic antimicrobial peptides
- Synthesis of [11C]levofloxacin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.