In a prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial, anxiety levels before and after cataract surgery in 3 groups (A Z no acupuncture, B Z true acupuncture starting 20 minutes before surgery, C Z sham acupuncture starting 20 minutes before surgery) were compared using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Twenty-five patients scheduled for inpatient phacoemulsification were enrolled in each group. All surgeries were performed using topical anesthesia.
Sample Count
75
Control
Sham
Blank
no acupuncture group(n=25);sham acupuncture group(n=25)
Experiment
true acupuncture group(n=25)
Indicator
Visual analog scale(VAS)Mean arterial pressure(MAP)Heart rate(HR)Pulse oximetryNoninvasive arterial pressureAdverse eventsDrugs administeredBradycardiaTachycardiaDuration of surgery
Auxiliary Medication
Thereafter, topical eye anesthesia (lidocaine 4%) was applied, and patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups.
Stimulation Method
MS
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
-
-
-
-
20 min; throughout surgery
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
-
-
-
Description patients received true acupuncture and then were left alone in a quiet room for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, a preoperative VAS evaluation of anxiety was performed and then surgery began. In Groups B and C, the needles were left in place throughout surgery. Manual stimulation was applied to the needles after insertion and immediately before surgery until the needling sensation (De Qi) was evoked.
Anesthesia Method
AAA
Clinical Trial Type
a prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial
Adverse Effects
Surgery was successfully completed in all cases with no adverse events.
Contraindications
Exclusion criteria were refusal to provide informed consent, use of drugs with sedative properties, psychiatric disease, pregnancy, knowl_x005fedge of the principles of acupuncture, anatomic alterations, or cutaneous infections precluding acupuncture at the selected acupoints
Effector
Preoperative anxiety levels were significantly lower only in Group B (P Z .001). Anxiety in Group B was significantly lower than in Group A (P Z .001) and Group C (P Z .037). Regarding post- operative anxiety, the mean VAS score was 39 G 5 in Group A, 19 G 3 in Group B, and 31 G 4 in Group C. The difference was significant only between Group A and Group B (P Z .003). Acupuncture was effective in reducing anxiety related to cataract surgery under topical anesthesia.
Sedative effect of acupuncture during cataract surgery: prospective randomized double-blind study.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing anxiety in patients having cataract surgery under topical anesthesia. SETTING: Vita-Salute University of Milan and IRCCS H. San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. METHODS: In a prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial, anxiety levels before and after cataract surgery in 3 groups (A = no acupuncture, B = true acupuncture starting 20 minutes before surgery, C = sham acupuncture starting 20 minutes before surgery) were compared using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Twenty-five patients scheduled for inpatient phacoemulsification were enrolled in each group. All surgeries were performed using topical anesthesia. Exclusion criteria were refusal to provide informed consent, use of drugs with sedative properties, psychiatric disease, pregnancy, knowledge of the principles of acupuncture, anatomic alterations, or cutaneous infections precluding acupuncture at the selected acupoints. RESULTS: Preoperative anxiety levels were significantly lower only in Group B (P = .001). Anxiety in Group B was significantly lower than in Group A (P = .001) and Group C (P = .037). Regarding postoperative anxiety, the mean VAS score was 39 +/- 5 in Group A, 19 +/- 3 in Group B, and 31 +/- 4 in Group C. The difference was significant only between Group A and Group B (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture was effective in reducing anxiety related to cataract surgery under topical anesthesia."
