[Preliminary study on sedative effect of electroacupuncture on patients after valve replacement]. Acupuncture accelerates recovery after general anesthesia: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of an Auricular Acupuncture Point Decreases Anesthetic Requirement [Effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on alteration of immune function in patients undergoing open-heart surgery]. Electroacupuncture on PC6 prevents opioid-induced nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery Autonomic status and pain profile in patients of chronic low back pain and following electro acupuncture therapy: a randomized control trial. [Effect of electroacupuncture on Sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor]. Electroacupuncture reduces myocardial infarct size and improves post-ischemic recovery by invoking release of humoral, dialyzable, cardioprotective factors PC6 acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postcardiac surgery nausea and vomiting: a protocol for a two-group, parallel, superiority randomised clinical trial [Impacts on oxidative stress in the patients with cardiac valve replacement treated with electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6)]. [A study on combined acupuncture and enflurane anesthesia for craniotomy]. Cardioprotective effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation in the pediatric cardiac patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Electroacupuncture improves cardiac function and remodeling by inhibition of sympathoexcitation in chronic heart failure rats. [A randomized controlled clinical trial for acupuncture stimulation of Neiguan (PC 6) to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting]. [The application of electro-acupuncture combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in neurosurgery]. Exercise and Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Low-back Pain: A Feasibility Randomized-controlled Trial [Analgesic and Sedative Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Medicine on Patients Undergiong Cardiac Surgery]. Monitoring of Neuromuscular Blockade at the P6 Acupuncture Point Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Electroacupuncture on PC6 (Neiguan) attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat hearts. Efficacy of acupuncture for acute migraine attack: a multicenter single blinded, randomized controlled trial. Regional homogeneity analysis on acupoint specificity with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. [Effects of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on perioperative inflammatory factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery]. [Effects of electroacupuncture of different acupoint groups on sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumors]. Cardioprotective effects of electroacupuncture pretreatment on patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the sedative effect of acupuncture on patients during mechanical ventilation after valve replacement . METHODS Sixty patients during mechanical ventilation after valve replacement were r and omly assigned to three groups . Intravenous injection of propofol ( Pro I ) was given to patients in group I ; to patients in group II , Pro I was given also and acupuncture at Shenting ( DU24 ) and Yintang ( EX-HN3 ) with needle retention was applied simultaneously , and to those in group III , the same treatment as that for group II was applied but with electroacupuncture instead of simple acupuncture . The speed of Pro I was controlled through micro-pump to maintain the bispectral index ( BIS ) within 70 - 80 . The dose of propofol used , the Ramsay score and adverse reaction , and so on in the three groups were observed and compared . RESULTS Pro I dose used was insignificantly different between group I and group II ( P > 0.05 ) , but in group III it was more reduced than that in the other two groups ( P < 0.05 ) . No significant difference in BIS , Ramsay score , adverse reaction , etc . was found among the three groups . BIS measurements showed negative correlation with Ramsay scores ( r = -0.85 , P < 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION Electro acupuncture at Shenting and Yintang has a certain sedative effect on patients during mechanical ventilation after valve replacement BACKGROUND Acupuncture anesthesia was created in the 1950 's in China and continues to be used there today during most major surgeries . It is widely used in China for such complex operations as brain , heart , and abdominal surgery . It is popular in China because it is economical , practical , and beneficial to the patients . With acupuncture anesthesia there is less bleeding during surgery and there is also quicker post-operative recovery . OBJECTIVE This r and omized prospect i ve study aims at comparing the effect of two acupoints ( Yongquan , KI1 and Renzhong , DU26 ) with sham acupuncture and no acupuncture on the time to recovery of consciousness after general anesthesia by means of the Bispectral Index monitor ( BIS ) . DESIGN , SETTING , PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS This is a prospect i ve r and omized controlled study . We r and omly assigned 50 patients to 5 groups during recovery from surgical anesthesia . Four groups had acupuncture on KI1 ( group A ) , DU26 ( groups B ) , both KI1 and DU26 ( group C ) , and sham points ( group D ) , and one had no acupuncture ( group E ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bispectral Index ( BIS ) , time to spontaneous eye opening , time to tracheal extubation , and time to following comm and s were measured as the main outcome measures . RESULTS Time to spontaneous eye opening differed among groups ( P=0.002 ) , as well as time to tracheal extubation ( P<0.000 1 ) and time to following comm and s ( P=0.000 6 ) . BIS values differed significantly among groups both 5 and 10 min after the end of anesthesia ( P<0.000 1 and P=0.000 4 , respectively ) . BIS values of groups D and E were lower than those of the other groups and those of group C were higher . The same pattern was observed also 15 and 30 min after the end of anesthesia , although the difference among groups was not significant at these time points ( P=0.164 and P=0.104 , respectively ) . CONCLUSION Acupuncture on DU26 and KI1 accelerates recovery of consciousness after general anesthesia . Moreover , a possible synergistic effect of DU26 and KI1 is suggested . This issue may play a role in the optimization of operating room management and raise interest about the usefulness of acupuncture on unconsciousness states of different nature Background German anesthesiologists have long used transcutaneous electrical stimulation of an acupuncture point near the tragus to reduce anesthetic requirement in unblinded and uncontrolled trials . This is known as auricular electrically stimulated analgesia . The authors therefore tested the hypothesis that auricular electrically stimulated analgesia reduces anesthetic requirement . Methods In a r and omized , double-blind , crossover trial , volunteers were anesthetized twice with desflurane . Electrical stimulation of an auricular acupuncture point in the vicinity of the tragus was used on 1 r and omly assigned day , and no electrical stimulation of the same point was used on the other study day . Treatment consisted of bilateral electrical stimulation of the lateralization control point , 3 cm anterior to the tragus . The 10-mA current was set to 299 Hz on the dominant side of the face and to 149 Hz on the contralateral side . Anesthetic requirement was determined by the Dixon up- and -down method and was defined by the average desflurane concentration required to prevent purpose ful movement of the extremities in response to noxious electrical stimulation . Results Ten men and 10 women completed the protocol . Electrical stimulation of the lateralization control point reduced anesthetic requirement by 11 ± 7 % ( P < 0.001 ) , with the reduction being similar in women and men . Women required more desflurane to prevent movement on the control day than the men ( 5.5 ± 1.0 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6 vol%;P = 0.028 ) . Conclusion This double-blinded trial with an objective outcome demonstrates that electrical stimulation of the lateralization control point significantly reduces anesthetic requirement OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture ( EA ) on alteration of immune function of patients undergoing open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB ) , and to appraise the value of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia in the operation . METHODS Thirty patients undergoing atrial septal defect repairing operation were selected and divided into three groups , Group A was the general anesthesia group ; Group B , the acupuncture anesthesia group and Group C , the general anesthesia plus EA group . Peripheral venous blood of patients was collected at different time points , i.e. before anesthesia , before CPB , 30 min and 24 hrs after CPB , to determine natural killer cells activity ( NKCA ) , and the levels of interferon-gamma ( IFN-gamma ) and interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ) in supernatant of cell culture were also tested . RESULTS NKCA was significantly lowered in Group A before CPB but increased in Group B , while no evident change was found in Group C , so the level of NKCA in Group B was significantly higher than in the other two groups . It lowered in all the three groups after CPB , especially evidently in Group B , so as to cause the NKCA level in Group B lower than that in Group A. The lowering further progressed , 24 hrs after CPB , NKCA in Group B was more reduced than that in Group C. Levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 lowered in all the three groups after CPB , and further lowered at time point of 24 hrs after CPB , but the parameters in Group C were significantly higher than those in Group B. CONCLUSION EA could enhance NKCA , but acupuncture anesthesia could n't inhibit the suppressive effect of CPB on NKCA , IL-2 and IFN-gamma , suggesting that the immunosuppression induced by stress has a prior effect . General anesthesia plus EA yielded better effect than general anesthesia and acupuncture anesthesia , but it could't improve the immunosuppression completely , indicating that the compound anesthesia could partially improve the immunosuppression induced by CPB Objective To investigate the treatment time dependence of electroacupuncture ( EA ) on Neiguan ( PC6 ) for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) . Methods One hundred and seventy-eight patients , who had received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia ( PCA ) with Fentanyl  , were assigned r and omly to three groups using r and om numbers : a pre-operative EA group ( PrEA ) , a post-operative EA group ( PoEA ) , and a non-acupuncture control group ( NC ) . An anesthetist evaluated the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting for 48 h after surgery blindly . The main outcomes were severity and freguency of PONV , which were measured with a self-reported question naire and a confirmation from the anesthetist . The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Z-test . Results The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the PrEA group than the NC group during 48 h after surgery ( P<0.01 , P<0.05 ) . The incidence of vomiting was also significantly lower in the PrEA group than the PoEA group ( P<0.05 ) . The PoEA subjects evidence d no significant differences compared with the NC subjects in terms of the incidence of nausea and vomiting ( P<0.05 ) . The severity of nausea was significantly lower in the PrEA group than in the NC and PoEA groups ( P<0.05 ) . Conclusions EA on PC6 is effective in the prevention of PONV , and pre-operative acupuncture is more effective than post-operative acupuncture Pain is a syndrome characterized by several neurophysiological changes including that of the autonomic nervous system . Chronic low back pain ( LBP ) is a major health problem and is a frequent reason for using unconventional therapies especially acupuncture . This study was conducted to evaluate the autonomic status and pain profile in chronic LBP patients and to observe the effect of electro acupuncture therapy . Chronic LBP patients ( n=60 ) were recruited from the Department of Orthopaedics , GTB Hospital , Delhi . Age and sex matched healthy volunteers were selected as controls ( n=30 ) . Following a written consent , LBP patients were r and omly allocated into two study groups - Group A received 10 sittings of electro acupuncture , on alternate days , at GB and UB points selected for back pain , while the Group B received a conventional drug therapy in the form of oral Valdecoxib together with supervised physiotherapy . Controls were assessed once while the patients were assessed twice , before and after completion of the treatment program ( 3 weeks ) . The autonomic status was studied with non-invasive cardiovascular autonomic function tests which included E : I ratio , 30:15 ratio , postural challenge test and sustained h and grip test . Pain intensity was measured with the visual analogue scale ( VAS ) and the global perceived effect ( GPE ) . Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measure 's ANOVA with Tukey 's test . Pain patients showed a significantly reduced vagal tone and increased sympathetic activity as compared to the controls ( P<0.05 to P<0.001 in different variables ) . Following treatment , both the study groups showed a reduction in vagal tone together with a decrease in the sympathetic activity . There was also a considerable relief of pain in both groups , however , the acupuncture group showed a better response ( P<0.01 ) . We conclude that there is autonomic dysfunction in chronic LBP patients . Acupuncture effectively relieves the pain and improves the autonomic status and hence can be used as an alternative/additive treatment modality in these cases OBJECTIVE To observe the supplementary analgesic effect of electroacupuncture and its influence on the maintenance of anesthesia and the speed of recovery of patients undergoing craniotomy . METHODS Eighty cases of supratentorial tumor resection were r and omly divided into group A and group S , 40 cases in each group . All the patients were anesthetized with  2 % Sevoflurane . The patients in group A received electroacupuncture at Hegu ( LI 4 ) and Waiguan ( TE 5 ) , Jinmen ( BL 63 ) and Taichong ( LR 3 ) , Zusanli ( ST 36 ) and Qiuxu ( GB 40 ) from anesthesia beginning to the end of operation , and in group S without electroacupuncture . The end-tidal Sevoflurane concentration , minimum alveolar concentration ( MAC ) , bispectral index ( BIS ) and the information during anesthesia recovery stage were recorded , respectively . RESULTS The end-tidal concentration and MAC of Sevoflurane in group A at all times were significant lower than those in group S ( P<0.05 , P<0.01 ) with a Sevoflurane saving of 9.62 % on average . The BIS in group A during a few phases were higher than that in group S ( all P<0.05 ) . During anesthesia recovery stage , the time of each phase in group A was significantly shorter than that in group S ( all P<0.01 ) . No dysphoria and one case with nausea and vomiting were shown in group A , but in group S , 2 patients had dysphoria and 3 patients had nausea and vomiting . CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with Sevoflurane anesthesia can decrease the dosage of Sevoflurane , shorten the recovery time of anesthesia and improve the quality of anesthesia recovery of the patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture ( EA ) can induce cardioprotection against ischemia – reperfusion ( IR ) injury , but its mechanisms are incompletely understood . We have previously shown that several other forms of remote preconditioning of the heart work , at least in part , via the release of circulating cardioprotective factors into the bloodstream , that can be dialyzed and subsequently shown to reduce IR injury in isolated hearts . We used the same methods to assess whether EA leads to similar humoral cardioprotection .  EA rabbits were subjected to 60 min of bilateral stimulation at the Neiguan point , following which their blood was drawn , dialyzed , and used to perfuse hearts in Langendorff preparation and subsequently subjected to 60 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion . Compared to controls , dialysate from EA animals led to significant reduction in infa rct size and improved functional recovery . The degree of cardioprotection was no different to that seen in animals r and omized to receive remote preconditioning using transient limb ischemia ( 4 cycles of 5 min ischemia/5 min reperfusion ) . These results suggest that EA recapitulates the cardioprotection achieved by remote preconditioning , by similarly leading to release of circulating cardioprotective factors Introduction Postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) are frequent but unwanted complications for patients following anaesthesia and cardiac surgery , affecting at least a third of patients , despite pharmacological treatment . The primary aim of the proposed research is to test the efficacy of PC6 acupoint stimulation versus placebo for reducing PONV in cardiac surgery patients . In conjunction with this we aim to develop an underst and ing of intervention fidelity and factors that support , or impede , the use of PC6 acupoint stimulation , a knowledge translation approach . Methods and analysis 712 postcardiac surgery participants will be recruited to take part in a two-group , parallel , superiority , r and omised controlled trial . Participants will be r and omised to receive a wrist b and on each wrist providing acupressure to PC six using acupoint stimulation or a placebo . R and omisation will be computer generated , use r and omly varied block sizes , and be concealed prior to the enrolment of each patient . The wristb and s will remain in place for 36 h. PONV will be evaluated by the assessment of both nausea and vomiting , use of rescue antiemetics , quality of recovery and cost . Patient satisfaction with PONV care will be measured and clinical staff interviewed about the clinical use , feasibility , acceptability and challenges of using acupressure wristb and s for PONV . Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval will be sought from appropriate Human Research Ethics Committee/s before start of the study . A systematic review of the use of wrist acupressure for PC6 acupoint stimulation reported minor side effects only . Study progress will be review ed by a Data Safety Monitoring Committee ( DSMC ) for nausea and vomiting outcomes at n=350 . Dissemination of results will include conference presentations at national and international scientific meetings and publications in peer- review ed journals . Study participants will receive a one-page lay- summary of results . Trial registration number Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry — ACTRN12614000589684 OBJECTIVE To observe the myocardial protective effect of electroacupuncture ( EA ) at Neiguan ( PC 6 ) in the patients with valve replacement via extracorporeal circulation . METHODS Fifty patients of rheumatic cardiac disease planned for valve replacement were grade d as II or III level according to America Society of Anesthesiologists ( ASA ) and were r and omized into an observation group and a control group , 25 cases in each one . The same anesthesia and valve replacement via extracorporeal circulation were adopted in the patients of the two groups . In the observation group , 30 min before operation , EA was used to stimulate bilateral Neiguan ( PC 6 ) till the end of operation . The venous blood was collected at 5 time points separately , named before aorta blockage ( T1 ) , 15 min after aorta open ( T2 ) , 30 min after aorta open ( T3 ) , 6 h after opening ( T4 ) and 24 h after opening ( T5 ) . The concentrations of malondial dehyde ( MDA ) , superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and cardiac troponin 1 ( cTnI ) were determined in serum . The heart re-beating and the total dosage of vasoactive drugs after operation were recorded . RESULTS Compared with those before aorta blockage , MDA and cTnI at each time point of aorta open were all apparently increased in the patients of the two groups ( all P<0 . 05 ) , and SOD was reduced apparently ( P<0 . 05 ) . Compared with the control group , at the time points from T3 to T5 , MDA and cTnL were lower apparently in the observation group as compared with those in the control group ( all P<0 . 05 ) and SOD was higher than that in the control group ( P<0 . 05 ) . The dosage of vasoactive drugs was reduced apparently ( P<. 05 ) . CONCLUSION EA at Neiguan ( PC 6 ) alleviates oxidative stress injury and has the protective effect on ischemic reperfusion myocardium The reinforcing effect of transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation ( TAES ) with enflurane anesthesia during craniotomy was studied . 110 neurosurgical patients were r and omly divided into three groups . Anesthesia was maintained with enflurane in group A ( n = 40 ) ; in group B , enflurane anesthesia was supplemented by TAES with Han 's acupoint nerve stimulator ( HANS ) at Hegu , Yuyao and Fengchi points on the operated side ( n = 40 ) ; in group C , enflurane anesthesia was supplemented by TAES and scalp infiltration with 0.5 % procaine ( n = 30 ) . The results showed that the minimum alveolar concentration ( MAC ) of enflurane  in group B and C decreased 37.8 - 47.0 % and 42.1 - 66.1 % respectively than that in group A. The hemodynamics was more stable during operation , and the patients recovered faster after operation in group B and C. It was concluded that TAES with HANS significantly potentiated the anesthetic effect and decreased the side effects of enflurane during operation , and that the triple combination of TAES , enflurane and scalp infiltration with procaine proved to be a better anesthetic method for craniotomy BACKGROUND Acupuncture pretreatment exerts neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects in animal models and in adult patients underwent cardiac surgery ; however , data in pediatric patient are unavailable . OBJECTIVE / AIM To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation ( TEAS ) on acute myocardial injury from pediatric open-heart surgery . METHODS Children , aged 2 - 12 years , with congenital heart defects scheduled for surgical repair were enrolled . They were r and omized to TEAS ( administrated at bilateral P6 acupoint for 30 min after basal anesthesia ) and control ( an electrode was placed on the arm without stimulus ) groups . The primary end point was serum cardiac troponin I ( cTnI ) over 24 h after aortic unclamping . Furthermore , clinical outcome and serum cytokine and C-reactive protein concentrations were evaluated . RESULTS Seventy eligible children were analyzed , 36 in controls and 34 in TEAS group . Compared with controls , the mean cTnI levels were significantly lower in TEAS group at 8 h ( P = 0.043 ) and 24 h ( P = 0.046 ) after aortic unclamping . The duration of ventilation ( P = 0.004 ) and length of ICU stay ( P = 0.032 ) was significantly longer in controls than in TEAS group . There was a significant difference in the release of C-reactive protein at 8 h ( P = 0.039 ) between two groups , whereas the values for cytokines were not significant . CONCLUSION Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation on the bilateral P6 acupoint is effective for attenuation myocardial injury in children undergoing cardiac surgery . The beneficial effects may be partially associated with reduction in cTnI and C-reactive protein level in the early postoperative period Chronic heart failure ( CHF ) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide , mainly as a result of neurohumoral activation . Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions . In this study , we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture ( EA ) on the sympathetic nerve activity , heart function , and remodeling in CHF rats after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery . CHF rats were r and omly selected to EA and control groups for acute and chronic experiments . In the acute experiment , both the renal sympathetic nerve activity and cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex elicited by epicardial application of capsaicin were recorded . In the chronic experiment , we performed EA for 30 min once a day for 1 wk to test the long-term EA effects on heart function , remodeling , as well as infa rct size in CHF rats . The results show EA significantly decreased the renal sympathetic nerve activity effectively , inhibited cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex , and lowered the blood pressure of CHF rats . Treating CHF rats with EA for 1 wk dramatically increased left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fraction shortening , reversed the enlargement of left ventricular end-systolic dimension and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension , and shrunk the infa rct size . In this experiment , we demonstrated EA  attenuates sympathetic overactivity . Additionally , long-term EA improves cardiac function and remodeling and reduces infa rct size in CHF rats . EA is a novel and potentially useful therapy for treating CHF OBJECTIVE To observe whether acupuncture stimulation of Neiguan ( PC 6 ) can prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) in patients undergoing craniotomy . METHODS A total of 60 patients scheduled for craniotomy were r and omly assigned to acupuncture group ( n = 30 ) and control group ( n = 30 ) . When regaining consciousness from the surgical anesthesia , patients of the acupuncture group received immediate acupuncture stimulation of bilateral Neiguan ( PC 6 ) . After insertion , the filiform needles were manipulated with uniform reinforcing-reducing method for about 1 min ( re-manipulated once again 10 min later ) , followed by retaining it for 20 min . Patients of the control group received no treatment .  Vomiting or retching ( having vomitus ) was considered as an emetic episode . Nausea was assessed by a four-point verbal rating scale ( none , mild , moderate , severe ) . RESULTS Following the treatment , in the acupuncture group , 1 patient had a vomiting from 0 to 2 h , and 1 patient had a vomiting from 2 to 6 h after the operation , and no patients had this symptom 6 h after the operation . While in the control group , the vomiting occurred in 11 patients from 0 to 2 h , 8 cases from 2 to 6 h , and other 8 cases from 6 to 24 h after the operation . Comparison between two groups showed that the nausea scores in the 3 time-stages were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Acupuncture stimulation of PC 6 is effective in preventing and treating PONV in patients undergoing craniotomy OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture combined with sevoflurane anesthesia used in neurosurgery patients and the speed of recovery following surgery . METHODS Eighty patients with supratentorial tumor resection were  anesthetized with sevoflurane and r and omly allocated into the complete anesthesia group ( Group A ) and the electro-acupuncture combined with sevoflurane group ( Group B ) . Han 's acupoint nerve stimulator with 2/100 Hz frequency was used to stimulate the points . Patients in Group B received electroacupuncture at Fengchi ( GB20 ) toward Tianzhu ( BL10 ) and Cuanzhu ( BL2 ) toward Yuyao ( EX-HN4 ) at the same side of the craniotomy before anesthesia induction . The stimulation was lasted from anesthesia induction until the end of operation . Patients in Group A were pasted with the conducting wire at the aforesaid points , but with no acupuncture or electric stimulation . All patients were induced with propofol 2 mg/kg , sufentanyl 0.3 microg/kg , and vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg , and maintained anesthesia with 2 % sevoflurane . The bispectral index ( BIS ) was maintained ranging 40 -50 . The sevoflurane was stopped inhaling at the end of the operation . The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration , minimum alveolar concentration ( MAC ) , BIS , and the anesthesia recovery at each time point were recorded in the two groups . RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the mean arterial pressure or the heart rate . The end-tidal concentration and MAC of sevoflurane were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A at each time point ( P<0.05 ) . The dose of sevoflurane was reduced by 8.34 % + /- 1.24 % in Group B when compared with that of Group A. The BIS value could be maintained ranging 40 - 50 in both groups , thus guaranteeing the anesthesia depth . The time for the spontaneous respiration recovery , the extubation time , the time for opening eyes , the time for the voluntary movement recovery , and the time for orientation recovery , and the time for leaving the operation room were significantly shorter in Group B than in Group A ( P<0.01 ) . The occurrence of dysphoria , nausea and vomiting was less in Group B than in Group A. CONCLUSIONS Electro-acupuncture combined with sevoflurane used in neurosurgery could save the dose of sevoflurane , significantly shorten the anesthesia recovery time , and improve the quality of the anesthesia recovery . It was a favorable anesthesia method Objectives : To evaluate the feasibility of a r and omized-controlled trial ( RCT ) investigating the effects of adding auricular acupuncture ( AA ) to exercise for participants with chronic low-back pain ( CLBP ) . Methods : Participants with CLBP were recruited from primary care and a university population and were r and omly allocated ( n=51 ) to 1 of 2 groups : ( 1 ) “ Exercise Alone (E)”—12-week program consisting of 6 weeks of supervised exercise followed by 6 weeks unsupervised exercise ( n=27 ) ; or ( 2 ) “ Exercise and AA (EAA)”—12-week exercise program and AA ( n=24 ) . Outcome measures were recorded at baseline , week 8 , week 13 , and 6 months . The primary outcome measure was the Oswestry Disability Question naire . Results : Participants in the EAA group demonstrated a greater mean improvement of 10.7 % points ( 95 % confidence interval , –15.3,−5.7 ) ( effect size=1.20 ) in the Oswestry Disability Question naire at 6 months compared with 6.7 % points ( 95 % confidence interval , −11.4,−1.9 ) in the E group ( effect size=0.58 ) . There was also a trend towards a greater mean improvement in quality of life , LBP intensity and bothersomeness , and fear-avoidance beliefs in the EAA group . The dropout rate for this trial was lower than anticipated ( 15 % at 6 mo ) , adherence with exercise was similar ( 72 % E ; 65 % EAA ) . Adverse effects for AA ranged from 1 % to 14 % of participants . Discussion : Findings of this study showed that a main RCT is feasible and that 56 participants per group would need to be recruited , using multiple recruitment approaches . AA was safe and demonstrated additional benefits when combined with exercise for people with CLBP , which requires confirmation in a fully powered RCT OBJECTIVE To observe analgesic and sedative effect of acupuncture combined with medicine ( ACM ) on patients undergiong cardiac surgery . METHODS A total of 50 patients with cardiac surgery from January 2012 to October 2014 were r and omly assigned to the  conventional analgesia group ( group A ) and the ACM analgesia group ( group B ) , 25 in each group . Patients in group A were subjected to analgesia and sedation by injecting dexmedetomidine , while patients in group B were subjected to analgesia and sedation by electro-acupuncture [ EA , Shenting ( GV24 ) ; Yintang ( EX-HN3 ) ] combined with injection of dexmedetomidine . Morphine hydrochloride injection was performed when analgesia and sedation effect was ineffective in the two groups . The indicators of patients at different time points in the two groups were observed , such as static and dynamic VAS scores , SAS scores , mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) , heart rate ( HR ) , oxygen saturation ( SpO2 ) . The injection dosage of  dexmedetomidine and morphine hydrochloride , analgesia satisfaction rate , sedation satisfaction rate , the incidences of adverse reactions during treatment such as bradycardia and low blood pressure , mechanical ventilation time , ICU time , and hospitalization expense were observed and recorded in the two groups . RESULTS There was no statistical difference in static and dynamic VAS scores , SAS score , MAP , HR and SpO2 between the two groups at different time points ( P > 0.05 ) . The injection dosage of  dexmedetomidine  and morphine hydrochloride was significantly reduced in group B than in group A ( P < 0.05 ) . The analgesia satisfaction rate of patients in group B was much higher than that in group A ( P < 0.05 ) . The incidence of bradycardia also obviously decreased more in group B than in group A ( P < 0.05 ) . There was no statistical difference in patients ' sedation satisfaction rate , incidences of low blood pressure , delirium , vomiting ; mechanical ventilation time , ICU time , or hospitalization expense between the two groups ( P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION The analgesia method of ACM could reduce the dosage of traditional analgesic drugs and the occurrence of partial adverse reactions Background : Electrical stimulation of the P6 acupuncture point reduces the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) . Neuromuscular blockade during general anesthesia can be monitored with electrical peripheral nerve stimulation at the wrist . The authors tested the effect of neuromuscular monitoring over the P6 acupuncture point on the reduction of PONV . Methods : In this prospect i ve , double-blinded , r and omized control trial , the authors investigated , with institutional review board approval and informed consent , 220 women undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery anesthetized with fentanyl , sevoflurane , and rocuronium .  During anesthesia , neuromuscular blockade was monitored by a conventional nerve stimulator at a frequency of 1 Hz over the ulnar nerve ( n = 110 , control group ) or over the median nerve ( n = 110 , P6 group ) stimulating at the P6 acupuncture point at the same time . The authors evaluated the incidence of nausea and vomiting during the first 24 h. Results : No differences in demographic and morphometric data were found between both groups . The 24-h incidence of PONV was 45 % in the P6 acupuncture group versus 61 % in the control group ( P = 0.022 ) . Nausea decreased from 56 % in the control group to 40 % in the P6 group ( P = 0.022 ) , but emesis decreased only from 28 % to 23 % ( P = 0.439 ) . Nausea decreased substantially during the first 6 h of the observation period ( P = 0.009 ) . Fewer subjects in the acupuncture group required ondansetron as rescue therapy ( 27 % vs. 39 % ; P = 0.086 ) . Conclusion : Intraoperative P6 acupuncture point stimulation with a conventional nerve stimulator during surgery significantly reduced the incidence of PONV over 24 h. The efficacy of P6 stimulation is similar to that of commonly used antiemetic drugs in the prevention of PONV The use of somato-visceral regulation has been proposed as a treatment for a wide range of diseases . The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that through somato-visceral regulation , ischemia-reperfusion ( I/R ) injury to the myocardium can be avoided by electroacupuncture ( EA ) on PC6 ( Neiguan ) . Electroacupuncture on PC6 ( Neiguan ) was brought about by the application of metal needles over the bilateral median nerve at a point 1.5 cm proximal to the palm crease in male Spraque-Dawley rats . The animals were r and omized into two groups : ( 1 ) prevention group with preconditioning by the application of EA on PC6 ( n = 13 ) ; and ( 2 ) treatment group with EA on PC6 during I/R injury ( n = 10 ) . The protection against myocardial injury was blocked by different mechanisms : ( 1 ) severing of the bilateral median nerve ( n = 10 ) , ( 2 ) bilateral vagotomy ( n = 10 ) , and ( 3 ) intravenous naloxone injection ( n = 10 ) . The hemodynamic parameters ( mean artery pressure and heart rate ) , duration of arrhythmia , mortality rate and cardiac enzymes were evaluated in these groups . The results showed that there were significant reductions in cardiac enzymes , the duration of arrhythmia and mortality rate in rats that were either preconditioned or treated with EA on PC6 , compared with those that did not undergo EA on PC6 ( P < 0.05 ) . The cardioprotective effects were blocked by different procedures ( P > 0.05 ) . We conclude that EA on bilateral PC6 ( Neiguan ) prevents and attenuates I/R injury to the heart , and that this approach may provide an applicable and preventative alternative for patients with ischemic heart disease OBJECTIVE We aim to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture for acute migraine attacks comparing with sham acupuncture . DESIGN The study was design ed as a multicenter , single-blinded , r and omized controlled clinical trial . SETTING AND PATIENTS From March 2007 to February 2009 , 150 patients were r and omly allocated to verum or sham acupuncture group in a ratio of 1:1 . INTERVENTIONS Every patient received a verum or sham acupuncture treatment when having a migraine attack and , medications were allowed if the pain failed to be relieved two hours after the acupuncture . OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was visual analog scale ( VAS ) scores for pain , ranging from 0 ( no pain ) to 10 ( worst pain ever ) . RESULTS The mean VAS scores 24 hours after treatment decreased from 5.7 ± 1.4 to 3.3 ± 2.5 in the verum acupuncture group , and from 5.4 ± 1.3 to 4.7 ± 2.4 in the sham acupuncture group . Significant differences existed between the two groups ( P = 0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS This trial suggested that verum acupuncture group was superior to sham acupuncture group on relieving pain and reducing the usage of acute medication BACKGROUND The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in craniotomy has been widely studied . However , the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints has not been examined . In this study , we used the regional homogeneity method blood oxygen level-dependent ( BOLD ) signals to determine changes in brain activity in response to transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints and non-acupoints in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) . METHODS Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study . BOLD fMRI scanning of the brain was performed for 306 seconds before and 30 minutes after transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints UB63 ( Jinmen ) , LV3 ( Tai chong ) , ST36 ( Zusanli ) , and GB40 ( Qiuxu ) . The procedure was repeated after one week with stimulation on non-acupoints ( one was 9 above BL67 , the second was 12 above BL67 ( Kunlun ) , the third was 7 above KI3 , and the fourth was 10 above KI3 ( Taixi ) ) . RESULTS The regional homogeneity in the acupoint group was increased in the left thalamus , cau date , putamen , lentiform nucleus ( BA19 , 30 , 39 ) , post central gyrus , pre central gyrus ( BA3 , 4 , 30 , 32 ) , calcarine fissure , middle temporal gyrus ( BA30 ) , right superior temporal gyrus , inferior temporal gyrus ( BA38 ) , cuneus , and precuneus ( BA7 , 19 ) when compared to the non-acupoint group . The regional homogeneity of the acupoint group was decreased in the left cerebellum posterior lobe , middle frontal gyrus ( BA10 ) , double-side precuneus ( BA7 ) , and the post central gyrus ( BA40 ) . CONCLUSIONS The brain region activated following acupoint stimulation is the ipsilateral pain-related brain region , which may relate to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on pain relief . Further acupoint stimulation causes different central nervous responses compared to non-acupoint stimulation OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on immune function in patients with extracorporeal circulation undergoing cardiac surgery . METHODS Thirty cases undergoing cardiac surgery which included atrial septal defect neoplasty , ventricular septal defect neoplasty , mitral valve replacement and pulmonary valve coa rct otomy were r and omly divided into group A and group B , 15 cases in each group . Group A was given general anesthesia plus acupuncture at Neiguan ( PC 6 ) , Lieque ( LU 7 ) and Yunmen ( LU 2 ) , and group B was given simple general anesthesia .  Tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) , interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ) and interleukin-10 ( IL-10 ) levels before and after surgery were compared . RESULTS The level of TNF-alpha was increased and the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum were decreased in both groups after extracorporeal circulation for 2 h and 24 h , and the ranges of all changes were more less in group A ( all P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Compared with simple general anesthesia , acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia can improve immune suppression partially in the perioperative periods under the same conditions of controlling anesthesia degree OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of electroacupuncture ( EA ) of different acupoint groups on the sevoflurane anesthetic requirement for resection of supratentorial tumors and the speed of post-operation recovery . METHODS A total of 120 cases of supratentorial tumor resection patients were r and omly and equally allocated into general anesthesia ( GA ) group , EA-proximal acupoints group ( EA-PA group ) and EA-distant acupoints group ( EA-DA group ) . The supratentorial tumor patients were anesthetized with sevoflurane for surgery . Proximal acupoints used were Fengchi ( GB 20 ) , Tianzhu ( BL 10 ) , Cuanzhu ( BL 2 ) and Yuyao ( EX-HN 4 ) that the former 2 acupoints and the latter 2 acupoints were for penetrative needling ; and distant acupoints used were Hegu ( LI 4 ) , Waiguan ( TE 5 ) , Jinmen ( BL 63 ) , Taichong ( LR 3 ) , Zusanli ( ST 36 ) and Qiuxu ( GB 40 ) on the craniotomy side , and stimulated with EA ( 2 Hz/100 Hz , a tolerable electric stimulating strength ) , beginning from the anesthesia induction till the end of surgical operation . All patients were anesthetized by inhalation of propofol ( 2 mg/kg ) , sufentanil ( 0.3 microg/kg ) and vecuronium bromide ( 0.1 mg/kg ) and maintained with sevoflurane . The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration , minimum alveolar concentration ( MAC ) , bispectral index ( BIS ) , and the speed of recovery were recorded . RESULTS In comparison with the GA group , the end-tidal concentrations during anesthesia maintenance at the time-points of post skull drilling , dura incising , intracranial operation in EA-PA group , the time-points of post skull drilling , skull opening , dura incising , and intracranial operation in EA-DA group , and the MAC of sevoflurane at the time-points of skull drilling in EA-DA group , and skull opening , dura incising , intracranial operation and dura suturing in both EA-PA and EA-DA groups were significantly lower ( P < 0.05 , P < 0.01 ) . Compared to the GA group , the BIS values of EA-DA group at the time-points of skull drilling and opening , and dura incising were significantly higher ( P < 0.05 ) , while during the recovery stage of anesthesia , in comparison with the GA group , the autonomous respiration recovery time , tracheo-tube removing time , eye-opening time , voluntary motion recovery time , orientation force recovery time , and operating room-departure time of both EA-PA and EA-DA groups were significantly shorter ( P < 0.05 , P < 0.01 ) . No significant differences were found between the EA-PA and EA-DA groups in the aforementioned indexes ( P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION EA of both proximal and distant acupoints can reduce the expired concentration and MAC of sevoflurane during anesthesia maintenance , and accelerate the recovery after cease of anesthesia in supratentorial tumor resection patients BACKGROUND Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury after cardiopulmonary bypass contributes to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with open-heart surgery . This r and omized controlled trial was design ed to address the protective effects of electroacupuncture ( EA ) pretreatment on myocardial injury in patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery . METHODS Sixty patients with acquired heart valve disease were r and omly allocated to the EA pretreatment group or the control group . Patients in the EA group received EA stimulus at bilateral Neiguan ( PC 6 ) , Lieque ( LU 7 ) , and Yunmen ( LU 2 ) for 30 minutes each day for five consecutive days before surgery . Hemodynamic data , mechanical ventilation time , inotropic drug use in the intensive care unit , serum cardiac troponin I concentrations , morbidities , and mortalities were compared between the two groups . This trial is registered with Clinical Trials.gov , number NCT00732459 . RESULTS At 6 hours , 12 hours , and 24 hours after reperfusion , levels of serum cardiac troponin I were significantly decreased in the EA group ( 5.74 + /- 0.67 , 6.22 + /- 0.66 , and 5.21 + /- 0.58 ) compared with that in the control group ( 7.89 + /- 0.74 , 8.34 + /- 1.08 , and 7.57 + /- 0.89 , p < 0.05 ) . The EA pretreatment significantly reduced overall serum troponin I release at 6 hours , 12 hours , and 24 hours after aortic cross-clamp removal . Meanwhile , EA pretreatment also reduced the inotrope score at 12 hours , 24 hours , and 48 hours after the intensive care unit arrival and shortened intensive care unit stay time ( p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that EA pretreatment may alleviate cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult patients undergoing heart valve replacements . This simple and convenient treatment has the potential to be used in the clinic for reducing myocardial injury in patients with heart valve replacement surgery
Background : Acupuncture treatment has been employed in China for over 2500 years and it is used worldwide as analgesia in acute and chronic pain .
Acupuncture is also used in general anesthesia ( GA ) .
The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture ( EA ) in addition to GA in patients undergoing cardiac surgery .