Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on body temperature, hemodynamic responses, and recovery in patients undergoing open spinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on intraoperative hypothermia, hemodynamic stability, stress responses, and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing open spinal surgery. METHODS: Sixty-six patients scheduled for elective open spinal surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to either the TEAS group (Group E) or the control group (Group C). TEAS was applied at Dazhui (GV14), unilateral Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Taixi (KI3). Nasopharyngeal temperature, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume variation (SVV), blood glucose (Glu), bispectral index (BIS), recovery time, incidence of postoperative shivering, incision infection, and deep vein thrombosis were recorded at six predefined time points: after entering the operating room (T0), during tracheal intubation (T1), at skin incision (T2), during pedicle screw insertion (T3), at the end of surgery (T4), and upon awakening (T5). RESULTS: Six patients withdrew from the study, leaving 30 patients in each group for analysis. Compared with Group C, patients in Group E had significantly higher nasopharyngeal temperatures at T3-T5. Recovery time was significantly shorter, and the incidence of postoperative shivering was significantly lower in Group E. Heart rate was significantly lower in Group E at T2, whereas cardiac output was significantly higher at T3. Blood glucose levels were significantly lower at T2-T5, and BIS values were significantly higher at T5 in Group E. No significant differences were observed in postoperative incision infection or deep vein thrombosis between the two groups. CONCLUSION: TEAS effectively attenuated intraoperative hypothermia, reduced perioperative stress-induced hyperglycemia, improved hemodynamic stability, shortened recovery from general anesthesia, and decreased postoperative shivering in patients undergoing open spinal surgery. These findings suggest that TEAS is a safe and promising adjunctive strategy for perioperative management.