Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture analgesia in controlling intraoperative pain and hemodynamics during total thyroidectomy:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in conjunction with additional medications in providing analgesia and stabilizing hemodynamic parameters during total thyroidectomy.Methods:This randomized controlled trial included 100 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy between October 2022 and October 2023 at the Vietnam National Hospital of Acupuncture.The patients were randomized into two groups.The electroacupuncture analgesia(EA)group received EA stimulation at five acupuncture points:Hegu(LI 4),Neiguan(PC 6),Shuitu(ST 10),Quepen(ST 12),and Yifeng(SJ 17),while the control group received a bilateral superficial cervical plexus block.Primary outcomes included the level of analgesia and perioperative vital signs in both groups.Additionally,pain thresholds and serum b-endorphin levels were measured before and after electroacupuncture in the EA group.Results:Complete analgesia(Level A)was attained in 86%and 76%of the patients in the EA and control groups,respectively,with no significant difference between the two groups(P=1.00).In the EA group,the mean pain threshold after receiving EA doubled(648.7(77.4)g/s vs.305.3(45.3)g/s,P<.001),and the mean serum b-endorphin level increased by approximately 13.5 pg/mL(P<.001).All patients remained hemodynamically stable throughout the surgery.Conclusion:EA,in conjunction with additional medications that stimulate five acupuncture points,LI 4,PC 6,ST 10,ST 12,and SJ 17,was well tolerated and effectively maintained a suitable level of analgesia and hemodynamic stability during total thyroidectomy.

Effectiveness on post-stroke hemiplegia in patients:electroacupuncture plus cycling vs electroacupuncture alone

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness of cycling in combination with electroacupuncture in treatment of poststroke hemiplegia patients at National Hospital of Acupuncture,Vietnam.METHODS:The study was designed as a single-centre,outcome-assessor-blinded parallel randomised controlled trial with 120 post-stroke hemiplegia patients randomly assigned into two groups:electroacupuncture plus cycling(CT group) and electroacupuncture(AT group).Patients were assessed before and after the treatment(using muscle grading,modified Rankin,Barthel,Orgorozo scores and electromyography).Statistical Man–Whitney U test,and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare between CT and AT groups.RESULTS:The results reported statistically significant improvement in motor function in patients suffering from hemiplegia following ischemic stroke in both CT and AT groups.Patients in CT group experienced a greater improvement compared to those in AT group including better muscle contraction(increased frequency and amplitude of electromyography and increased muscle grading scale);increased recovery(Orgogozo scale),increased independency(Barthel scale) and decreased disability(Modified Rankin scale)(P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Combination with cycling training significantly improves the recovery of post-stroke patients treated with electroacupuncture.