Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory for pain relief during colonoscopy without anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Xiaonan Huang; Hao Wang; Lei Shi; Lifan Xu; Can Lv; Wenjuan Song; Lele Huang; Feihu Yan; Ping Shi; Mengcheng Cai; Fanfu Fang

doi:10.1055/a-2373-0513

Endoscopy, Table of Contents

Endoscopy 2025; 57(02): 158-165
DOI: 10.1055/a-2373-0513

Innovations and brief communications

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory for pain relief during colonoscopy without anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Xiaonan Huang ‡

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

²School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

,

Hao Wang‡

³Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

,

Lei Shi

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

,

Lifan Xu

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

⁴School of Sports and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China

,

Can Lv

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

,

Wenjuan Song

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

,

Lele Huang

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

²School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

,

Feihu Yan

³Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

,

Ping Shi

²School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

,

Mengcheng Cai

⁵Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Naval Medical Center, Shanghai, China

,

Fanfu Fang

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Colonoscopy is essential for diagnosing colorectal diseases but can cause pain during the procedure. This study explored the analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory (TENS-WAA) in colonoscopy without anesthesia.

Methods This prospective study included 120 participants undergoing colonoscopies without anesthesia. The trial group received low-frequency, high-intensity TENS-WAA adjusted to the maximum tolerable current, while the control group received minimal current. The primary outcome was the retrospective pain score on a visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included time, heart rate, and credibility/expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) scores.

Results Participants who received TENS-WAA reported significantly lower pain VAS scores than the control group (estimated median difference –1.1, 95%CI –2 to –0.4; P = 0.002). Male participants in the trial group experienced significantly lower pain scores than the control group (mean difference –1.4, 95%CI –2.41 to –0.39; P = 0.008). The trial group showed significantly less variation in heart rates (P<0.001) and higher CEQ scores (P = 0.001) than the control group. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion TENS-WAA effectively reduced pain during colonoscopy without anesthesia, especially in male participants, providing a promising noninvasive analgesic method.

Full Text

References

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material