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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  ‡
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Hao Wang‡
3   Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lei Shi
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lifan Xu
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
4   School of Sports and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
,
Can Lv
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Wenjuan Song
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Lele Huang
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Feihu Yan
3   Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
,
Ping Shi
2   School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
,
Mengcheng Cai
5   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Naval Medical Center, Shanghai, China
,
Fanfu Fang
1   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center Medical Enterprise Integration and Transformation Special Project SHDC2022CRD004
Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China NSFC62371300
Supported by: Military high-level scientific and technological innovation talent project [2020]NQ06128

Clinical Trial: Registration number (trial ID): ChiCTR2300076524, Trial registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org/), Type of Study: prospective randomized controlled study
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Author commentary on Xiaonan Huang et al.Endoscopy 2025; 57(02): v7-v7
DOI: 10.1055/a-2410-5952

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.

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 15 February 2024

Accepted after revision: 24 July 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
25 July 2024

Article published online:
16 September 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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