Electroacupuncture-reduced sedative and analgesic requirements for diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound. - GreenMedInfo Summary

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The role of electroacupuncture (EA) in reducing sedative and analgesic requirements during EUS is uncertain. The aim of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of EA in reducing procedure-related pain and discomfort during EUS.

METHODS: This was a double-blinded randomized controlled study conducted between March 2014 and July 2016. Consecutive patients who were scheduled for diagnostic EUS were recruited and randomized to receive electroacupuncture (EA) or sham-electroacupuncture (SA). The primary outcome was the dosage of propofol used. Other outcome measurements included pain scores, anxiety scores, satisfaction scores, patients' willingness to repeat the procedure, total procedure time, and adverse events.

RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients were recruited to the study. The patients that received EA had significantly fewer PCA requirements. The median (IQR range) number of demands for PCA (2 [1 - 5] vs 16.5 [8.5 - 33.8], P<0.001), the number of successful demands (2 [1 - 4] vs 9 [5.3 - 13], P<0.001), the total dose of propofol (0.15 [0.08 - 0.34] vs 0.77 [0.38 - 1.09], P<0.001) and alfentanil (0.38 [0.20 - 0.86] vs 1.92 [0.94 - 2.72], P<0.001) were all significantly less. Patients that received EA also had significantly less procedural pain scores and anxiety scores (P<0.001), higher satisfaction scores (P<0.001), and they are more willing to repeat the procedure (P<0.001). Both being in the SA group and the procedural time were significant predictors to increased PCA demands (P<0.001 and P = 0.009 respectively).

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the use of EA reduced sedative and analgesic demands, improved patient experience, and was associated with low risk of adverse events during diagnostic EUS.