Effect of Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation on Post-Hemorrhoidectomy-Associated Pain, Anxiety, and Heart Rate Variability: A Randomized-Controlled Study

Hemorrhoidectomy is the current best treatment for severe hemorrhoids, but it causes significant postoperative pain and anxiety, which is associated with heart rate variability (HRV). Transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) was assumed to alleviate pain and anxiety, and modify the auto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical nursing research 2018-05, Vol.27 (4), p.450-466
Main Authors: Yeh, Mei-Ling, Chung, Yu-Chu, Hsu, Lun-Chia, Hung, Shuo-Hui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Autonomic nervous system
Central nervous system
Clinical trials
Electrical stimulation
Evidence-based nursing
Heart rate
Hemorrhoids
Medical treatment
Nervous system
Nursing
Pain
Pain management
Perioperative anxiety
Postoperative pain
Postoperative period
Surgery
Variability
Varicose veins
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Summary:Hemorrhoidectomy is the current best treatment for severe hemorrhoids, but it causes significant postoperative pain and anxiety, which is associated with heart rate variability (HRV). Transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) was assumed to alleviate pain and anxiety, and modify the autonomic nervous system. This study aimed to examine the effects of TAES intervention on postoperative pain, anxiety, and HRV in patients who received a hemorrhoidectomy. A randomized-controlled trial with five repeated measures was conducted. The TAES group (n = 39) received four 20-min sessions of electrical stimulation at chengshan (BL57) and erbai (EX-UE2) after hemorrhoidectomy, whereas the control group (n = 41) did not. Data were collected using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and HRV physiological signal monitor. TAES resulted in a significant group difference in pain scores, anxiety levels, and some HRV parameters. The findings indicate that TAES can help reduce pain and anxiety associated with hemorrhoidectomy. TAES is a noninvasive, simple, and convenient modality for post-hemorrhoidectomy-associated pain control and anxiety reduction.
ISSN:1054-7738
1552-3799
DOI:10.1177/1054773816685745