Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Propofol Induction Dose: Could Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Stimulation Replace Intravenous Co-Induction Agents?

Abstract

Objective: Auricular acupuncture, through a combination of several points, can produce sedative and analgesic effects. The aim of this study was to compare the induction dose of propofol required to obtain a loss of response to verbal commands, with and without a preoperative combination of auricular points. Materials and Methods: This study involved American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients, ages 18-65, of either sex, having elective ambulatory surgery (digestive or gynecologic) under general anesthesia. The subjects were allocated to 2 groups: (1) patients treated by auricular acupuncture (group AA), compared with (2) patients not treated by auricular acupuncture (group NA). Propofol injection was initiated in each group, 10 mg, every 5 seconds, in order for the anesthetist to determine the minimum dose until there was a loss of response to verbal commands (the clinical hypnotic endpoint). At this point, the main outcome-the dose of propofol given-was noted. Results: There were 32 patients in this study (16 in each group). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were similar in the groups (P ‡ 0.05). The required induction propofol dose was 17.7% lower in group AA than in group NA-a statistically significant difference (P £ 0.05). The mean induction dose indexed to weight was 2.18 mg/kg (range: 1.53-3.13 mg/kg) in group NA and 1.79 mg/kg (range: 1.12-2.11 mg/kg) in group AA. There were no complications. Conclusions: Auricular acupuncture is a method for stimulating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system. Preoperative auricular acupuncture enabled reductions of induction doses of propofol for general anesthesia without any clinically important side-effects.

Effects of acupuncture for relieving preoperative anxiety in adolescents

“…[ 23 ] Acupuncture can provide clinical benefits in the perioperative period, especially for reducing preoperative anxiety, as well as postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting. [ 24 ] Previous study indicated that acupuncture might be tolerated and accepted in adolescents suffering from anxiety, with few side effects and adverse events have been reported. [ 11 ] Therefore, a systematic review of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of preoperative anxiety in adolescents is necessary to provide evidence.…”

“…More than 90% patients undergoing scheduled for elective surgery developed preoperative anxiety [23] . Acupuncture can provide clinical benefits in the perioperative period, especially for reducing preoperative anxiety, as well as postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting [24] . Previous study indicated that acupuncture might be tolerated and accepted in adolescents suffering from anxiety, with few side effects and adverse events have been reported [11] .…”

An Auricular Marker for COVID-19

“…Published articles suggest that stimulation of auricular points might result in reduction of medications necessary for induction of the anesthesia. [2][3][4][5] We needed to research and find a specific ear point corresponding to COVID-19. To assist with this task, we demonstrated in previous research that auricular causative diagnosis (ACD) is an objective tool that allows one to visualize the status of all organs, provides a functional diagnosis, and shows the origin of the pathology.…”