Description In the combined group, two sterile acupuncture needles were inserted bilaterally into PC6 and LI4.The same technique was performed on patients in the single group, in which only PC6 was stimulated on each side.
Experimental Description
This study compared the efficacy of two simultaneous acupuncture points with that of a single point in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting following general anesthesia through a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 227 surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia who were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group received acupuncture by stimulation only on the PC6 point (single group), and the second group underwent concomitant stimulation of the PC6 and the L14 acupuncture points (combined group) during surgery under general anesthesia.
Sample Count
227
Control
Std
single group(n=112)
Experiment
combined group(n=115)
Indicator
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting(PONV)
Auxiliary Medication
General anesthesia was induced with 6 mg/kg thiopental sodium, 0.5 mg/kg atracurium, and 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine, and then maintained by administration of 110 mg/kg propofol, 0.5 mg/kg fentanyl, and 0.3 mg/kg atracurium.
Stimulation Method
MS
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
-
-
-
-
The needles remained in place until they were removed at the end of the surgery
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
0.3×50 mm
-
-
Description The needles remained in place until they were removed at the end of the surgery.
Anesthesia Method
AAA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Effector
No significant differences were observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). Of 115 patients in the combined group, 80 (69.6%) complained about nausea and vomiting compared with 96 (85.7%) in the single group, a significantly lower proportion (p < 0.05). Our findings favor a combination of PC6 and LI4 stimulation for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Acupuncture in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: efficacy of two acupuncture points versus a single one.
Abstract
Despite recent advances in anesthesiology and postoperative care, postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complaints. Although acupuncture techniques have received attention in anesthesiology, the ideal technique and selection of the most appropriate acupuncture points are still under debate. This study compared the efficacy of two simultaneous acupuncture points with that of a single point in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting following general anesthesia through a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 227 surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia who were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group received acupuncture by stimulation only on the PC6 point (single group), and the second group underwent concomitant stimulation of the PC6 and the L14 acupuncture points (combined group) during surgery under general anesthesia. The prevalences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups. No significant differences were observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Of 115 patients in the combined group, 80 (69.6%) complained about nausea and vomiting compared with 96 (85.7%) in the single group, a significantly lower proportion (p<0.05). Our findings favor a combination of PC6 and LI4 stimulation for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting."
