<p>Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on the Postoperative Sleep Quality and Pain of Patients After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial</p>

Abstract

Objective Postoperative sleep disturbances have serious adverse effects on postoperative outcomes. Our paper aimed to observe the effect of using transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on sleep quality and complications after surgery in patients undergoing selective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Patients and Methods Eighty-five patients were divided into the TEAS group or the control group randomly. Thirty minutes of TEAS treatment was performed on TEAS group at the following time points: the first night before surgery, at the end of surgery, and before sleeping on the second and third nights after surgery. The Portable Sleep Monitor (PSM) was performed to determine the sleep quality of the two nights before the operation (Sleep preop 2 and Sleep preop 1) and the first and third night after surgery (Sleep POD 1 and Sleep POD 3). The visual analog scale (VAS) was performed to evaluate pain scores after surgery and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used for evaluating subjective sleep quality. Results Participants in the TEAS group had a lower AIS score and higher sleep efficiency at each time point except Sleep preop 2. Participants in the TEAS group showed significantly higher proportion of each sleep stage during Sleep-preop 1, Sleep POD 1, and Sleep POD 3. Patients in the TEAS group had significantly lower VAS scores at 2, 4, and 6 h during the first 24 h after surgery. The incidence of nausea and vomiting and dizziness in the control group was statistically higher than in the TEAS group. Conclusion Patients usually have sleep disturbances after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, such as decreased distribution of each sleep stage, lower sleep efficiency, and higher AIS score. Undergoing TEAS treatment perioperatively can improve sleep quality, and effectively promote the postoperative analgesic effect and alleviate postoperative complications.

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Combined with Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Postoperative Recovery in Elderly Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The use of electrode pads instead of electric needles is less invasive and provides greater accessibility than traditional acupuncture. Its physiological effects are similar to those of conventional acupuncture [ 23 ], with a wide range of applications in relieving nausea and vomiting and improving analgesia and immunity [ 24 – 26 ].…”

Effects of Intravenous Anesthetics vs Inhaled Anesthetics on Early Postoperative Sleep Quality and Complications of Patients After Laparoscopic Surgery Under General Anesthesia

“…c) Press the power button for 3 seconds to start recording d) After use, press the power button for 3 second again to stop recording. 8 , 14 The WPSM was performed on the following three nights from 23 PM to 7 AM: the first night before surgery (Sleep-preop 1), the first night after surgery (Sleep POD1) and the third night after surgery (Sleep POD 3). The following sleep variables were evaluated by physicians in the sleep laboratory without knowing the patient information: sleep efficiency (sleep time/recording time) and the percentage of REM sleep, Stable sleep and Unstable sleep.…”

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture assisted anesthesia (AAA) for postoperative pain of thoracoscopy

“…[11] In recent years, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), electroacupuncture, wrist ankle acupuncture, and other acupuncture related technologies combined with anesthesia have been applied to video assisted thoracic surgery, which has significant advantages in postoperative analgesia, protecting organ function and reducing inflammatory reaction. [12][13][14] There is a study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of plum-blossom needle acupuncture combined with Tramadol in improving chronic postsurgical pain after lobectomy in non-small cell lung cancer patients. [15] Our study does not limit the types of chest diseases in thoracoscopy, such as pneumonectomy, lobectomy, radical resection of lung cancer.…”