MULTIDISCIPLINARY PAIN ABSTRACTS: 11 . Anesthesia (11)

Abstract

In this prospective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled study, the authors tested the hypothesis that auricular electroacupuncture relieves pain more effectively than conventional manual auricular acupuncture. They studied 21 chronic cervical pain patients without radicular symptoms and with insufficient pain relief. All patients were treated with disposable acupuncture needles on the dominant side at the following acupuncture points: cervical spine, shen men, and cushion. In 10 patients, needles were continuously stimulated (2‐mA constant current, 1 Hz monophasic) by using the electrical point stimulation device P‐STIM. In 11 control patients, no electrical stimulation was administered. Acupuncture was performed once a week for 6 weeks. Patients had to complete a questionnaire assessing pain intensity, psychological well‐being, activity, sleep, and demand for rescue medication (lornoxicam and tramadol). The reduction in pain scores was significant in the electrical acupuncture group. Similarly, psychological well‐being, activity, and sleep were significantly improved in patients receiving electrical acupuncture, and consumption of rescue medication was significantly less. These results demonstrate that continuous electrical stimulation of auricular acupuncture points by using the new point stimulation device P‐STIM improves the treatment of chronic cervical pain in an outpatient population. Continuous electrical stimulation of auricular acupuncture points by using the new point stimulation device P‐STIM significantly decreases pain intensity and significantly improves psychological wellness, activity, and sleep in chronic cervical pain patients.