Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on recovery after internal spinal fixation: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing internal spinal-fixation surgery.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients scheduled for elective internal spinal fixation surgery at the First People's Hospital of Pinghu City between August 2024 and April 2025 were enrolled. Patients were aged 19-78 years, of either gender, with American Society of Anesthesiologists class II or III and a body mass index of 17-33 kg/m2. They were randomly assigned to a TEAS-assisted general anaesthesia group (Group T) or a general anaesthesia-only group (Group G) using a random number table, with 37 patients per group. In Group T, TEAS was initiated 30 min before anaesthesia induction. The Neiguan, Hegu, and Ashansanli acupoints were electrically stimulated at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and an intensity of 8-12 mA, continuing until completion of incision suturing. In Group G, electrode pads were placed at the same acupoints, but no electrical stimulation was administered. The primary outcome was Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores at 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were intraoperative remifentanil and propofol dosages, QoR-15 scores at 72 h postoperatively, time to first postoperative analgesic pump use, and total opioid consumption during the 72 h postoperative period. Other outcomes were length of hospitalization, satisfaction scores at discharge, and incidence of adverse events during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Group T had significantly higher QoR-15 scores at both 24 h and 3 d postoperatively, lower intraoperative remifentanil consumption, longer time to first postoperative use of the analgesic pump, lower opioid consumption during the 72 h postoperative period, and higher satisfaction scores at discharge (P < 0.05), than Group G.

CONCLUSIONS

TEAS improves the quality of postoperative recovery in patients undergoing internal spinal-fixation surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ITMCTR2025000399. http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.