Effects of transcutaneous electrical point stimulation on awakening, cognition, and immune function in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

• Published in: Journal of acupuncture and tuina science Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 43 - 48
• Main Authors: Xu, Xuefen, Chen, Meihua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.02.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Cholecystectomy; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Extubation; General anesthesia; Hemodynamics; Laparoscopy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Special Topic Study; Point, Hegu (LI4); R246.2; A; 穴, 合谷; 穴, 内关; Point, Zusanli (ST36); Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy; 穴, 足三里; 经皮电刺激疗法; Point, Neiguan (PC6); 手术后并发症; 穴位疗法; 腹腔镜胆囊摘除术; Point Therapy; Postoperative Complications; Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
• ISSN: 1672-3597; 1993-0399
• DOI: 10.1007/s11726-025-1477-1

Objective To observe the effects of transcutaneous electrical point stimulation (TEPS) on awakening, cognition, and immune function in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) under general anesthesia. Methods Ninety patients undergoing LC under general anesthesia were selected as the study subjects and were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. The control group was operated with conventional general anesthesia. The observation group was treated with the same anesthesia as the control group, and TEPS was performed at Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), and Neiguan (PC6) before the induction of anesthesia until the completion of the operation. The quality of postoperative awakening, hemodynamic indicators, cognitive function, and immune function of patients in the two groups were compared, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded. Results The time of recovery of spontaneous breathing and extubation time of the observation group were shorter than those of the control group ( P <0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the two groups at the moment before the induction of anesthesia (T1) ( P >0.05); at the moment of extubation (T2) and 5 min after extubation (T3), the HR and MAP of patients in both groups were higher than those at T1 ( P <0.05), and those of the observation group were lower than those of the control group ( P <0.05). Preoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference in the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) score between the two groups ( P >0.05); 3 d postoperatively, the MoCA score of the two groups decreased and was higher in the observation group than in the control group ( P <0.05). Preoperatively, there was no statistical difference in the comparison of CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD4 + /CD8 + between the two groups ( P >0.05); 3 d postoperatively, the above indicators decreased in both groups ( P <0.05) and were higher in the observation group than in the control group ( P <0.05). There was no statistical difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P >0.05). Conclusion The application of TEPS at Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), and Neiguan (PC6) with general anesthesia can improve the quality of postoperative awakening, promote hemodynamic stabilization, and improve cognitive function and immune function in LC patients, with good safety.