Description LI 4 bilateral; TE 5 bilateral;ST 29 bilateral;GV 20;ST 36 bilateral
Experimental Description
In all, 150 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer were randomized to receive either EA plus PCB or alfentanil plus PCB.
Sample Count
150
Age
25-46
Control
Std
alfentanil plus PCB(n=75)
Experiment
EA plus PCB(n=75)
Indicator
Visual analog scale(VAS)
Auxiliary Medication
The alfentanil group received 0.25-0.5 mg alfentanil and 0.25 mg atropine (Atropin NM Pharma; NM Pharma AB, Stockholm, Sweden) i.v. directly before oocyte aspiration and placement of the PCB. Both groups received PCB, and it was supplied using 10 ml of lidocaine (5 mg/ml at the IVF Center in Falun and 10 mg/ml at both the IVF Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the Fertility Centre Scandinavia, Göteborg) before oocyte aspiration was begun.
Stimulation Method
MS;EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
CEFAR Acus
Cefar, Lund, Sweden
2/100 Hz
continuous square wave pulses,alternating polarity,pulse duration of 0.2 ms;square wave pulses,alternating polarity,pulse duration of 0.2 ms,80 pulses per second (pps)
-
-
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
-
Hegu AB, Landsbro, Sweden
15-35 mm
Description The needles (Hegu; Hegu AB, Landsbro, Sweden) were made of stainless steel and were inserted i.m. to a depth of 15–35 mm. They were then rotated to evoke the needle sensation of 'de qi', often described as variable feelings of tension, numbness, tingling, and soreness and reflecting activation of muscle-nerve afferents (A delta and possibly C fibres) . The location and type of stimulation were the same in all women in the EA group . The needles in the abdominal muscles were attached to an electrical stimulator (CEFAR Acus; Cefar, Lund, Sweden) and stimulated with continuous square wave pulses, alternating polarity, pulse duration of 0.2 ms, 'high frequency' 100 Hz. The intensity was high, giving non-painful paraesthesia. The needles in the hands were also electrically stimulated, with a low burst frequency of 2 Hz. Individual pulses within the burst frequency were square wave pulses, alternating polarity, pulse duration of 0.2 ms, 80 pulses per second (pps). The intensity was sufficient to cause non-painful local muscle contractions. The needles not stimulated electrically were manually stimulated every tenth minute .
Anesthesia Method
AA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Effector
No differences in pain directly related to oocyte aspiration, adequacy of anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration, abdominal pain, or degree of nausea were found between the two groups in the VAS ratings. Before oocyte aspiration, the level of stress was significantly higher in the EA group than in the alfentanil group (P< 0.05), and the EA group experienced discomfort for a significantly longer period during oocyte aspiration (P< 0.01). Compared with the alfentanil group, the EA group had a significantly higher implantation rate (P< 0.05), pregnancy rate (P< 0.05), and take home baby rate (P< 0.05) per embryo transfer. In conclusion, EA has been shown to be as good an anaesthetic method as alfentanil during oocyte aspiration, and we suggest that EA may be a good alternative to conventional anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration.
A prospective randomized study of electro-acupuncture versus alfentanil as anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration in in-vitro fertilization.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anaesthetic effect during oocyte aspiration of a paracervical block (PCB) in combination with either electro-acupuncture (EA) or intravenous alfentanil. In all, 150 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer were randomized to receive either EA plus PCB or alfentanil plus PCB. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to evaluate subjective experiences during oocyte aspiration, and IVF outcome parameters were recorded. No differences in pain directly related to oocyte aspiration, adequacy of anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration, abdominal pain, or degree of nausea were found between the two groups in the VAS ratings. Before oocyte aspiration, the level of stress was significantly higher in the EA group than in the alfentanil group (P < 0.05), and the EA group experienced discomfort for a significantly longer period during oocyte aspiration (P < 0. 01). Compared with the alfentanil group, the EA group had a significantly higher implantation rate (P < 0.05), pregnancy rate (P < 0.05), and take home baby rate (P < 0.05) per embryo transfer. In conclusion, EA has been shown to be as good an anaesthetic method as alfentanil during oocyte aspiration, and we suggest that EA may be a good alternative to conventional anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration."
