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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2006 Aug;21(8):2114-20.
doi: 10.1093/humrep/del110. Epub 2006 May 5.

Auricular electro-acupuncture as an additional perioperative analgesic method during oocyte aspiration in IVF treatment

Sabine M Sator-Katzenschlager  1 , Monika M Wölfler, Sibylle A Kozek-Langenecker, Kathrin Sator, Paul-G Sator, Borwen Li, Georg Heinze, Michael O Sator
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Auricular electro-acupuncture as an additional perioperative analgesic method during oocyte aspiration in IVF treatment

Sabine M Sator-Katzenschlager et al. Hum Reprod. 2006 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the pain-relieving effect and the subjective well-being between auricular electro-acupuncture (EA) analgesia, auricular acupuncture (A) and conventional analgesia with remifentanil (CO).

Methods: A total of 94 women undergoing IVF were randomized to auricular acupuncture with (EA, n = 32) or without (A, n = 32) continuous 1 Hz auricular stimulation (using a battery-powered miniaturized stimulator, P-Stim) or with adhesive tapes instead of needles and no electrical stimulation (control group, CO, n = 30) at the auricular acupuncture points 29, 55 and 57. All patients received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with remifentanil. Pain intensity and psychological well-being were assessed by means of visual analogue scales (VAS); tiredness, nausea and vomiting and analgesic drug consumption were documented.

Results: Pain relief and subjective well-being were significantly greater in group EA during and after the procedure as compared with groups A and CO (P < 0.001). The patients were significantly more tired in group CO than in groups A and EA (P < 0.001). Consumption of the opioid remifentanil was significantly lower in group EA, comparable nausea (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Auricular EA significantly reduces pain intensity and analgesic consumption of the opioid remifentanil during oocyte aspiration in IVF treatment.

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