Effect of Electrical Acupoint Stimulation at Taiyuan and Hegu on Respiratory Events After General Anesthesia Extubation

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effect of combined electrical stimulation at specific acupoints, Taiyuan LU9 and Hegu LI4, on reducing respiratory problems that occur after extubation in patients recovering from general anesthesia. The study focuses on patients admitted to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit PACU after elective general anesthesia surgery, where respiratory adverse events like apnea and hypoxemia are common and can be dangerous if not managed promptly. This research aims to provide scientific evidence to improve nursing care and patient outcomes during this critical recovery period. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the TEAS group, which receives transcutaneous electrical stimulation at the Taiyuan and Hegu acupoints for 30 minutes starting at extubation, or the control group, which receives routine care without stimulation. In the TEAS group, electrodes are placed on the upper limbs without invasive procedures, delivering stimulation at 2100 Hz with intensity adjusted to each patients tolerance. All participants receive routine oxygen therapy and continuous monitoring in the PACU. During the study, participants are positioned with their heads elevated and monitored with ECG and oxygen saturation alarms set to 95%. They remain in the PACU for at least 30 minutes, during which respiratory events and other adverse events are recorded. If stable and meeting discharge criteria, participants return to the ward otherwise, they may be transferred to the ICU. The research team measures the occurrence of respiratory adverse events after general anesthesia and monitors safety throughout the recovery period.

Effect of Percutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on the Improvement of Incidence of Adverse Respiratory Events