An, L.X., Chen, X., Ren, X.J., & Wu, H.F. (2014). Electro-acupuncture decreases postoperative pain and improves recovery in patients undergoing a supratentorial craniotomy. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 42, 1099–1109.

To determine if electro-acupuncture (EA) is an effective adjunct treatment to manage postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting (PONV), and recovery in patients after a supratentorial tumor resection

In group A, acupuncture needles were inserted into the LI4, SJ5, BL63, LR3, ST36, and BG40 points, then EA stimulation was used with frequencies of 2 and 100 Hz alternating every three seconds at a level of maximum tolerance for each patient. The duration of the intervention was from the induction of anesthesia till the surgery ended. In group C, no needle was inserted.

• N = 88  
• AGE = Group A: 40.7 years (SD = 12.1 years), Group C: 39.1 years (SD = 10.9 years)
• MALES: 47%, FEMALES: 53%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients who received supratentorial tumor resections
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients received a needling test to exclude those who were resistant to acupuncture. Patients who developed a postoperative hematoma or infection were excluded. In addition, patients were excluded if they were obese, pregnant, taking any medications, or had cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.

• SITE: Single site    
• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient    
• LOCATION: Operation room

• PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care

• Double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

• Postoperative pain on a 0–10 scale
• Incidence of PONV
• Dizziness and feelings of fullness in the head
• Appetite

After six hours of surgery, the Visual Analog Scale scores, the mean total bolus administration, and the effective number of PCIA bolus administrations in the EA group was statistically significantly lower than the control group. During the 6–48 hours, there were no differences in the mean total bolus administration, the effective number of bolus administrations, and the total fentanyl dose between the two groups. There were no differences in PONV between the two groups. Patients in the EA group experienced a lower incidence and degree of dizziness and feelings of fullness in the head compared to patients in the control group. Patients in the EA group could eat more on a liquid diet than patients in the control group 24 hours postoperatively.

EA can reduce postoperative pain, decrease the number of effective PCIA bolus administrations, improve appetite, and decrease dizziness and feelings of fullness in the head for patients who received supratentorial tumor resections.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Measurement/methods not well described
• Measurement validity/reliability questionable

These study findings show that EA may be used as an adjunct treatment to reduce postoperative pain, decrease the number of effective PCIA bolus administrations, improve appetite, and decrease dizziness and feelings of fullness in the head for patients receiving supratentorial tumor resections.