Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation on peripheral capillary oxygen saturation in elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy with sedation: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Issue 4 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yongming; Gong, Yin; Huai, Xiaorong; Gu, Xiyao; Su, Diansan; Yu, Weifeng; Xie, Hong
• Is Part Of: Acupuncture in medicine. Volume 39:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: colonoscopy -- peripheral capillary oxygen saturation -- propofol -- transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation; Acupuncture -- Periodicals; 615.892
• DOI: 10.1177/0964528420960479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-5284

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated whether transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) at PC6 can reduce the proportion of elderly patients experiencing a drop of ⩾4% in peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) while undergoing colonoscopy under sedation. Methods: A total of 32 elderly patients (aged ⩾ 65 years) scheduled for colonoscopy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either real or sham TEAS (treatment or control groups, respectively). Each patient received oxygen (2 L/min) delivered routinely via nasal cannula. The treatment group was given TEAS at PC6 for 20 min at 2 Hz frequency and 6 mA intensity; the control group underwent the same procedures but with zero frequency/intensity. SpO2 and other physiological parameters were measured prior to sedation and colonoscopy (baseline) and at seven other timepoints through departure from recovery. Depth of anesthesia was measured using a Narcotrend monitor. Results: Significantly fewer patients in the treatment group experienced a ⩾4% decrease from baseline SpO2 (2/16) than patients in the control group (10/16; p = 0.004). The two groups were comparable with regard to respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. Conclusion: TEAS applied at PC6 with 2 Hz frequency was feasible and may be helpful in reducing the rate of hypoxia in elderly patients during colonoscopy. Trial registration number: NCT03775122 (ClinicalTrials.gov).