Background
Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is frequently followed by adverse events related to anesthesia and the procedure. Some research showed that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can relieve intraoperative pain and postoperative nausea.
Objective
This study examined whether TEAS can alleviate pain and relieve adverse symptoms after oocyte retrieval.
Design, setting, participants and interventions
Altogether 128 patients were randomly divided into the TEAS group and the mock TEAS group. The two groups received a 30-minute-long TEAS or mock TEAS treatment that began 30 min after oocyte retrieval.
Main outcome measures
The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. Secondary outcomes were pressure pain threshold, McGill score, pain rating index (PRI), present pain intensity (PPI), VAS stress score, VAS anxiety score, and postoperative adverse symptoms.
Results
The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (
P > 0.05). The VAS pain scores of the TEAS group were lower than those of the mock TEAS group at 60 and 90 min after oocyte retrieval (
P < 0.05). The McGill score, PRI and PPI in the TEAS group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 60 min after oocyte retrieval (
P < 0.05). However, the two groups had equivalent beneficial effects regarding the negative emotions, such as nervousness and anxiety (
P > 0.05). The TEAS group was superior to the mock TEAS group for relieving postoperative adverse symptoms (
P < 0.05).
Conclusion
TEAS treatment can relieve postoperative pain and postoperative adverse symptoms for patients undergoing oocyte retrieval.
Trial registration number
ChiCTR2100050153.