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Harbell MW, Barendrick LN, Pelkey MN, Elam DE, Bombaci NA, Mora KS, Mi L, Quillen J, Millstine DM. Acupuncture as a Complementary Treatment Modality in the Post-Anesthesia Care Setting: A Feasibility Study. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2024. [PMID: 38215309 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: Postoperative pain management and postoperative nausea and vomiting are a persistent challenge for both health care providers and patients. Acupuncture is an effective and safe modality for the management of pain and nausea, and has the potential to play a key role in postoperative pain management. This study explores the utility and feasibility of acupuncture in the immediate postoperative setting. Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, 22 patients who underwent elective surgeries and received acupuncture in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were compared with 88 case controls. Indications for acupuncture therapy included persistent pain, nausea, or anxiety. Patient satisfaction and symptom improvement after acupuncture were assessed. PACU nurses and patients were queried on their perspectives on using this therapy. Demographic data, perioperative opioid consumption, pain score in the PACU, incidence of postoperative nausea, PACU length of stay, and unintended hospital admission were assessed. The groups with/without acupuncture were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: A total of 78.9% of patients receiving acupuncture felt improvement in their symptoms. 94.7% of recovery nurses who cared for patients who received acupuncture felt that it was helpful and 78.9% did not believe it was disruptive. Patients who opted for acupuncture had a statistically significant higher overall median (interquartile range) pain score in the PACU (7.0 [5.2, 9.5] vs. 5.0 [3.0, 7.0], p = 0.009) and higher postoperative opioid consumption (22.5 [9.8, 44.8] vs. 15.0 [0.0, 30.0], p = 0. 03). There was no difference between total perioperative opioid consumption between groups (p = 0.94). Conclusions: Most patients who received acupuncture therapy in the PACU were satisfied with their therapy and would recommend it to future patients undergoing surgery. Most recovery nurses felt it was helpful, was not disruptive, and would like to see it utilized in the PACU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica W Harbell
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Lindsay N Barendrick
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Debbie E Elam
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Integrative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Nikki A Bombaci
- Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Kerri S Mora
- Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Lanyu Mi
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Jaxon Quillen
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Denise M Millstine
- Division of Women's Health Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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