Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation reduces rocuronium injection-related pain: a prospective randomized controlled study

M. Yildiz, B. Kozanhan

Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, University of Health Science, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Turkey. drmunise@hotmail.com

 

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• Anesthesiology

OBJECTIVE: Various approaches have been suggested to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with rocuronium injection. This randomized controlled trial aimed at exploring the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), a non-invasive modality to reduce the pain associated with rocuronium injection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 patients undergoing elective general anesthesia were recruited and randomly allocated to the TEAS or placebo TEAS (no electrical output) groups. TEAS consisted of 30 min of stimulation at a frequency of 2/100 Hz and an intensity of 6-9 mA on Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6) before anesthesia induction. A blinded observer evaluated the pain using a 4-point pain scale.

RESULTS: The overall incidence of rocuronium injection-related pain was significantly lower in the TEAS group than that in the placebo TEAS group (40% and 86.7%, respectively). The incidence of no or mild pain was significantly higher in the TEAS group (100%, p<0,001) group than that in the placebo TEAS group (50%).

CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with TEAS effectively reduced the frequency and severity of pain associated with rocuronium injection.

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