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Endoscopy
DOI: 10.1055/a-2373-0513
Innovations and brief communications

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory for pain relief during colonoscopy without anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Xiaonan Huang  ‡
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Hao Wang‡
3   Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lei Shi
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lifan Xu
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
4   School of Sports and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
,
Can Lv
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Wenjuan Song
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lele Huang
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Feihu Yan
3   Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Ping Shi
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Mengcheng Cai
5   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Naval Medical Center, Shanghai, China
,
Fanfu Fang
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center Medical Enterprise Integration and Transformation Special Project SHDC2022CRD004
Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China NSFC62371300
Supported by: Military high-level scientific and technological innovation talent project [2020]NQ06128

Clinical Trial: Registration number (trial ID): ChiCTR2300076524, Trial registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org/), Type of Study: prospective randomized controlled study
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Abstract

Background Colonoscopy is essential for diagnosing colorectal diseases but can cause pain during the procedure. This study explored the analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory (TENS-WAA) in colonoscopy without anesthesia.

Methods This prospective study included 120 participants undergoing colonoscopies without anesthesia. The trial group received low-frequency, high-intensity TENS-WAA adjusted to the maximum tolerable current, while the control group received minimal current. The primary outcome was the retrospective pain score on a visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included time, heart rate, and credibility/expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) scores.

Results Participants who received TENS-WAA reported significantly lower pain VAS scores than the control group (estimated median difference –1.1, 95%CI –2 to –0.4; P = 0.002). Male participants in the trial group experienced significantly lower pain scores than the control group (mean difference –1.4, 95%CI –2.41 to –0.39; P = 0.008). The trial group showed significantly less variation in heart rates (P<0.001) and higher CEQ scores (P = 0.001) than the control group. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion TENS-WAA effectively reduced pain during colonoscopy without anesthesia, especially in male participants, providing a promising noninvasive analgesic method.

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 15 February 2024

Accepted after revision: 24 July 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
25 July 2024

Article published online:
16 September 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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