Despite prophylactic measures, hypotension remains a common side-effect of spinal anaesthesia for parturients. Electroacupuncture at the Neiguan (PC-6) and Jianshi (PC-5) points influences haemodynamics. We thus hypothesized that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at traditionally used acupuncture points would reduce the severity of hypotension after spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing Caesarean section. After obtaining approval from the local ethics committee and written informed patient consent, 36 singleton parturients undergoing Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomized into three groups. The control group received no treatment, and the acupoint and non-acupoint groups received TENS at the PC-5 and PC-6 points of both arms and non-acupoints of both shoulders, respectively. The median (range) of the lowest recorded systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the acupoint group compared with the other groups and that of the non-acupoint group was higher than that of the control group [control, 70 (68-82) mm Hg; acupoint, 94 (84-109) mm Hg; non-acupoint, 81 (70-92) mm Hg: P<0.001]. Significantly more parturients in the control and non-acupoint groups experienced hypotension [control, 10 (83%); acupoint, 4 (33%); non-acupoint, 10 (83%): P=0.013]. More ephedrine was required to maintain arterial blood pressure in the control and non-acupoint groups. TENS on the traditional acupuncture points reduced the severity and incidence of hypotension after spinal anaesthesia in parturients.

Purpose. Since auricular acupuncture is a diagnostic and treatment system based on normalizing the bodys dysfunction, auricular acupuncture has been applied for pain relief, relaxation, and so on. These techniques would modulate the autonomic nerve system, thereby inducing the above-mentioned effects. The aim was to see the effect of auricular acupuncture applied to the Shenmen and Point Zero points on the postoperative heart rate variability (HRV). Methods. Twenty-six patients who underwent hemicolectomy under general anesthesia were randomized into the control or the acupuncture group. After the operation and before emergence, the acupuncture group received auricular acupuncture. An electrocardiographic unit was placed for recording the autonomic nervous activities. Results. The low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio of HRV increased () in the control, but the ratio in the acupuncture did not change. There were significant differences between the ratios of the two groups at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00. HF of the acupuncture group tended to be higher. HFs of the acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00. Conclusion. Auricular acupuncture kept the LF/HF ratio at lower levels and HF at higher levels during postoperative period in the patients who had undergone hemicolectomy.

Premedication with sedatives can decrease the discomfort associated with invasive anesthetic procedures. Some researchers have shown that acupressure on the acupuncture extra 1 point is effective for sedation. We investigated whether acupressure on the extra 1 point could alleviate the pain of needle insertion. We investigated the effect of acupressure at the extra 1 point or a sham point on needle insertion using verbal rating scale (VRS) pain scores and heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-two healthy female volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups: the extra 1 group received acupressure at the extra 1 point, and the sham group received acupressure at a sham point. After starting the electrocardiogram record, a 27-gauge needle was inserted into the skin of a forearm. Thereafter, another needle was inserted into the skin of the other forearm during acupressure. Acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced the VRS, but acupressure at the sham increased the VRS. Acupressure at the extra 1 significantly reduced the low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV responding to needle insertion. Acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced needle insertion pain compared with acupressure at the sham point. Also, acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced the low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV responding to needle insertion, which implies a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity.