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Effects of preconditioning of electro-acupuncture on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

Electro-acupuncture is a burgeoning treatment using the needle inserting into the body acupoints and the low-frequency pulse current being electrified by an electric acupuncture machine. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of preconditioning of electro-acupuncture on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly.

Methods

Ninety patients scheduled spine surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups using a random number table: control group (group C) and electro-acupuncture group (group EA). In group EA, electro-acupuncture was applied on Baihui, Dazhui, and Zusanli acupoints 30 minutes before anesthesia. At 0 minute before treatment of electro-acupuncture, 1 hour after skin incision and surgery completed (T1–3), blood samples were taken for detection of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and S100ß by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The total dose of remifentanil and propofol during surgery were recorded. Mini-Mental State Examination was applied to evaluate the cognitive function of patients at 1 day before surgery and 7th and 30th day after surgery.

Results

The results showed that compared with group C, score of MMSE increased after surgery, the serum concentration of IL-6, IL-10, and S100ß decreased at 1 hour after skin incision, and surgery completed in group EA. Moreover, the total dose of remifentanil and propofol reduced during surgery in group EA.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that preconditioning of electro-acupuncture could improve the postoperative cognitive function, and the reduction of inflammatory reaction and brain injury may be involved in the mechanism.

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Abbreviations

ASA:

American Standards Association

BIS:

bispectral index

BMI:

body mass index

EA:

electroacupuncture

MMSE:

Mini-Mental State Examination

POCD:

postoperative cognitive dysfunction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, the Third Hospital, Hebei Medical University, No. 139, Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei, China

    Q. Zhang, Y.-N. Li, Y.-Y. Guo, C.-P. Yin, F. Gao, X. Xin, S.-P. Huo, X.-L. Wang & Q.-J. Wang

  2. Psychiatrische Forschungsgruppe, LVR-Klinik, D-47551, Bedburg-Hau, Deutschland

    P. Bosch

  3. Brüssels Institut für Angewandte Linguistik, Freie Universität Brüssel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brüssel, Belgien

    M. van den Noort

Authors
  1. Q. Zhang
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  2. Y.-N. Li
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  3. Y.-Y. Guo
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  4. C.-P. Yin
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  5. F. Gao
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  6. X. Xin
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  7. S.-P. Huo
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  8. X.-L. Wang
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  9. Q.-J. Wang
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  10. P. Bosch
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  11. M. van den Noort
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Bosch.

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Cite this article

Zhang, Q., Li, YN., Guo, YY. et al. Effects of preconditioning of electro-acupuncture on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Dtsch Z Akupunkt 60, 36–37 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0415-6412(17)30126-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0415-6412(17)30126-1

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