Effect of acupuncture at the EX-HN3 (Yintang) point on pre operative anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia

Abstract

Pre-operative anxiety is unpleasant state of psychological distress, uneasiness or tension. Increased pre-operative anxiety has correlation with increased post-operative pain, analgesic requirement and prolonged hospitalisation. Due to the associated side effects with pharmacological methods many non-pharmacological methods have been adopted. Acupuncture lacks side effects and is of relatively low cost. Hence we assess the pre-operative anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgical procedures by using acupuncture at EX-HN3 (Yintang) point.To assess the effect of acupuncture on pre-operative anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.A total of 240 patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia will be included in the study. Patients will be randomized in to two groups.Group A: Patients receiving acupuncture at EX-HN3 (Yintang) point.Group B: Patients not receiving acupuncture.At the pre-operative visit, on the day of surgery before and after acupuncture therapy, the patient will be assessed for anxiety scores using.The two groups were comparable demographically. Pre-operative anxiety levels as assessed by objective criteria (HR, BP, RR) shown significant reduction in intervention group(P<0.001) compared to the control group(P=0.0556). The scores on STAI-S6 and Amsterdam scale were reduced in acupuncture Group A(P<0.001) (P<0.001) compared to control GroupB(P=0.47) (P=0.0095) respectively.Acupuncture at EX-HN3 (Yintang) point decreases pre operative anxiety levels effectively in patient undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.