After measuring baseline anxiety levels, 128 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio by a web-based computer program to receive either acupuncture at the EX-HN3 (Yintang) point (acupuncture group) or no intervention (control group).
Sample Count
128
Age
≥16
Control
Blank
no intervention (control group)(n=64)
Experiment
EX-HN3 (Yintang) point (acupuncture group)(n=64)
Indicator
STAI-S6Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Inventory Scale(APAIS)Postoperative pain scores in PACUOpiate requirements in PACUIncidence of PONV in PACU
Stimulation Method
MS
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
-
-
-
-
30 min
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
0.2×1.5 mm
Seirin Co. Ltd, Shizuoka City, Japan
-
Description Participants who were assigned to receive acupuncture (acupuncture group) then underwent a single acupuncture session. This consisted of the insertion of a press-stud needle (0.2 mm × 1.5 mm Seirin Pyonex; Seirin Corporation, Shizuoka City, Japan) at the EX- HN3 (Yintang) point (Fig. 1), in conjunction with standardised information in the form of a spoken script (Appendix 1). All acupuncture was delivered by a single member of the research team (JM) who had been trained by a clinician with extensive acupuncture experience. The ‘de qi’ or needling sensation was not targeted during the acupuncture. Participants were told to manually stimulate the needle every 10 min by applying digital pressure in small, circular movements to the press-stud. The needle was left in place for 30 min and then removed.
There were no adverse events reported in any of the patients who received acupuncture.
Contraindications
Contraindications to acupuncture
Effector
Participants were not blinded, but all analyses were performed by a member of the research team who was unaware of the group allocation. The primary outcome measure was anxiety level after 30 min, as measured by the six-item short form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (possible score range 20–80). Sixty-two patients in each group were subse- quently analysed. Median (IQR [range]) anxiety State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score reduced significantly in the acupuncture group (46.7 (36.7–53.3 [23.3–70.0]) to 40.0 (30.0–46.7) [20.0–53.3]), p < 0.001), with no change seen in the control group (41.7 (33.3–53.3 [20.0–76.7]) to 43.3 (36.7–50.0 [20.0–76.7]), p = 0.829). There were no adverse events in either group. Acupuncture at the EX-HN3 point reduces pre-operative anxiety levels in patients awaiting neurosurgery.
A randomised controlled trial examining the effect of acupuncture at the EX-HN3 (Yintang) point on pre-operative anxiety levels in neurosurgical patients.
Abstract
Pre-operative anxiety is an unpleasant state of psychological distress that occurs in up to 87% of patients awaiting neurosurgical procedures. Sedative medication is undesirable in this population due to the need for early postoperative neurological assessment. Acupuncture has previously been shown to reduce pre-operative anxiety, but studies involving neurosurgical patients are lacking. This single-centre, prospective, randomised controlled trial was designed to determine the effect of acupuncture at the EX-HN3 (Yintang point) on pre-operative anxiety levels in neurosurgical patients. The study was prospectively registered before participant recruitment. After measuring baseline anxiety levels, 128 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio by a web-based computer program to receive either acupuncture at the EX-HN3 (Yintang) point (acupuncture group) or no intervention (control group). Participants were not blinded, but all analyses were performed by a member of the research team who was unaware of the group allocation. The primary outcome measure was anxiety level after 30 min, as measured by the six-item short form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (possible score range 20-80). Sixty-two patients in each group were subsequently analysed. Median (IQR [range]) anxiety State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score reduced significantly in the acupuncture group (46.7 (36.7-53.3 [23.3-70.0]) to 40.0 (30.0-46.7) [20.0-53.3]), p < 0.001), with no change seen in the control group (41.7 (33.3-53.3 [20.0-76.7]) to 43.3 (36.7-50.0 [20.0-76.7]), p = 0.829). There were no adverse events in either group. Acupuncture at the EX-HN3 point reduces pre-operative anxiety levels in patients awaiting neurosurgery."
Souce
Anaesthesia. 2017 Mar;72(3):335-342. doi: 10.1111/anae.13785. Epub 2017 Jan 16.
