Description small-sized (1.5 cm) cutaneous electrode pads were put bilaterally at the PC-6 and PC-5 points
Experimental Description
65 ASA I or II male patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair were randomized to five groups: the control group received no treatment; the 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 40 Hz groups received TENS at a frequency of 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 40 Hz, respectively.
In the case of inappropriate cephalad spread of anaesthesia, incremental epidural supplements of 2% lidocaine were given, starting with 4 mL. When necessary, additional 2 mL boluses were given no earlier than 5 min after the preceding top-up. Haemodynamics were recorded every minute for 30 minutes after the injection of 10 mL of 2% lidocaine and then every 2.5 minutes until the end of surgery. In the case of hypotension, ephedrine of 4 mg was given intravenously. If necessary, additional ephedrine of 4 mg was given every two minutes. We defined hypotension as a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) 30% below baseline values or to less than 90 mmHg in the present study. Atropine of 0.5 mg was given intravenously to treat bradycardia, defined as a decrease in heart rate to less than 50 beats min−1.
Stimulation Method
TENS
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
NeuroTrax TENS & AcuStim
Verity Medical LTD, Hampshire, uk
2 Hz;10 Hz;20 Hz;40 Hz
-
9-17 mA, produce the most intense tolerable electrical sensation without muscle contractions at a frequency of 2, 10, 20, or 40 Hz
duration of 100 μs until the end of surgery
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
-
-
-
Description In the 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 40 Hz groups, then, small-sized (1.5 cm) cutaneous electrode pads were put bilaterally at the PC-6 and PC-5 points. The intensity of the electrical stimulation was adjusted to produce the most intense tolerable electrical sensation without muscle contractions at a frequency of 2, 10, 20, or 40 Hz and a duration of 100 μs until the end of surgery.
Anesthesia Method
AAA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Effector
The lowest SBP was significantly higher in the 40 Hz group [the control, 84 (74–110) mmHg; the 2 Hz, 96 (62–116) mmHg; the 10 Hz, 100 (68–110) mmHg; the 20 Hz, 96 (64–115) mmHg; the 40 Hz, 104 (75–140) mmHg: P = 0.004]. Significantly less patients experienced hypotension in the 40 Hz group [the control, 78%; the 2 Hz, 43%; the 10 Hz, 38%; the 20 Hz, 38%; the 40 Hz, 8%: P = 0.008]. TENS on the PC-6 and PC-5 points reduced the severity and incidence of hypotension after epidural anaesthesia, depending on the stimulus frequency.
"Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the PC-5 and PC-6 Points Alleviated Hypotension after Epidural Anaesthesia, Depending on the Stimulus Frequency."
Abstract
Neuraxial blockade causes arterial hypotension. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at the Neiguan (PC-6) and Jianshi (PC-5) reduces the severity of hypotension after spinal anaesthesia, but did not clarify the optimal stimulus frequency. We hypothesized that the stimulus frequency of TENS at the PC-6 and PC-5 points would influence the severity of hypotension after epidural anaesthesia. 65 ASA I or II male patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair were randomized to five groups: the control group received no treatment; the 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 40 Hz groups received TENS at a frequency of 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 40 Hz, respectively. The lowest SBP was significantly higher in the 40 Hz group [the control, 84 (74-110) mmHg; the 2 Hz, 96 (62-116) mmHg; the 10 Hz, 100 (68-110) mmHg; the 20 Hz, 96 (64-115) mmHg; the 40 Hz, 104 (75-140) mmHg: P = 0.004]. Significantly less patients experienced hypotension in the 40 Hz group [the control, 78%; the 2 Hz, 43%; the 10 Hz, 38%; the 20 Hz, 38%; the 40 Hz, 8%: P = 0.008]. TENS on the PC-6 and PC-5 points reduced the severity and incidence of hypotension after epidural anaesthesia, depending on the stimulus frequency."
Souce
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:727121. doi: 10.1155/2012/727121. Epub 2012 Jan 31.
