Postoperative Pain Therapy with Laser Acupuncture after Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of our prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effect of laser acupuncture on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 99 women (mean age 32 ± 5 years) scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at Saarland University Hospital Medical Center, Homburg (Germany) were enrolled in this trial after giving written consent. Patients were randomized in two groups receiving a course of 3 treatments over 3 days with either active or placebo laser. Each acupuncture session treated Di-4 and Shen-men of both hands and ears. Primary outcome was defined as the pain severity at rest measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on the first postoperative day. Secondary outcome measures included analgesic consumption, time to mobilization, and length of stay. Treatment occurred on the operation day and on the following 2 days. Data were collected by a standardized questionnaire. <b><i>Results:</i></b> From 95 included patients, 80 were analyzed. No statistical difference between both groups were observed for pain severity at rest on the first postoperative day after cesarean section (Mann-Whitney U test, <i>p</i> = 0.850, verum group [mean ± standard deviation]: 3.3 ± 2.1 vs. placebo group: 3.2 ± 1.9). Secondary outcome measures regarding analgesic consumption showed no difference in NSAID or opioid between treatment and placebo group. Laser acupuncture showed no effect on time to mobilization and length of stay. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study could not demonstrate significant effects by the application of laser acupuncture on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section.