The effect of TEAS on the quality of early recovery in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION
In current study we assessed the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the quality of early recovery in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
Sixty patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to TEAS (TEAS group) or control group (Con group). TEAS consisted of 30 min of stimulation (12-15 mA, 2/100 Hz) at the acupoints of Baihui (GV20), Yingtang (EX-HN-3), Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) before anesthesia. The patients in the Con group had the electrodes applied, but received no stimulation. Quality of recovery was assessed using a 40-item questionnaire as a measure of quality of recovery (QoR-40; maximum score 200) scoring system performed on preoperative day 1 (T0), postoperative day 1 (T1) and postoperative day 2 (T2); 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain medications, and antiemetics were also recorded.


RESULTS
QoR-40 and MMSE scores of T0 showed no difference between two groups (QoR-40: 197.50 ± 2.57 vs. 195.83 ± 5.17), (MMSE: 26.83 ± 2.74 vs. 27.53 ± 2.88). Compared with the Con group, QoR-40 and MMSE scores of T1 and T2 were higher in the TEAS group (P < 0.05) (QoR-40: T1, 166.07 ± 8.44 vs. 175.33 ± 9.66; T2, 187.73 ± 5.47 vs. 191.40 ± 5.74), (MMSE: T1, 24.60 ± 2.35 vs. 26.10 ± 2.78; T2, 26.53 ± 2.94 vs. 27.83 ± 2.73). VAS scores of T1 and T2 were lower (P < 0.05) in the TEAS group (T1, 4.73 ± 1.53 vs. 3.70 ± 1.41; T2, 2.30 ± 0.95 vs. 1.83 ± 0.88); the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), remedial antiemetics and remedial analgesia was lower in the TEAS group (P < 0.05) (PONV: 56.7% vs. 23.3%; incidence of remedial antiemetics: 53.3% vs. 23.3%; incidence of remedial analgesia: 80% vs. 43.3%).


CONCLUSION
The use of TEAS significantly promoted the quality of early recovery, improved MMSE scores and reduced the incidence of pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02619578. Registered on 2 December 2015. Trial registry name: https://clinicaltrials.gov.
['Yu|Xiangdi|X|', 'Zhang|Fangxiang|F|', 'Chen|Bingning|B|']
D015669:Acupuncture Points D000328:Adult D000700:Analgesics D000932:Antiemetics D005260:Female D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D010535:Laparoscopy D000073216:Mental Status and Dementia Tests D008875:Middle Aged D059408:Pain Management D010147:Pain Measurement D010149:Pain, Postoperative D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting D011300:Preoperative Care D011446:Prospective Studies D013997:Time Factors D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation D016896:Treatment Outcome
Gynecological laparoscopic surgery Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) QoR-40 VAS MMSE