Effects Of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation On Postoperative Cognitive In Elderly Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Colorectal Surgery

Objective To explore the effectiveness and mechanism of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)on postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)in elderly people undergoing laparoscopic radical colorectal surgery.Methods 86 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colorectal surgery from January 2022 to August 2022 were selected in this study and randomized into TEAS group(group T)and control group(group C).Patients in group T treated with TEAS at the bilateral Hegu,Neiguan,Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupoints from 0.5h before the induction of anesthesia to the completion of the operation.The TEAS was provided an altered densedisperse frequency of 2/100 Hz and the stimulation intensity was the maximal level of toleration by each patient.In group C,electrodes were attached to these 4 acupoints without electrical stimulation.The cognitive function was assessed by the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)at before of the surgery(T0),1(T3)and 3 days after surgery(T4).3 ml of venous blood was taken from the participants at T0,end of the operation(T1)and 1 day after surgery(T2)to measure serum levels of S100 calcium binding protein B(S100β),substance P(SP)and cortisol(COR)using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).In addition,the outcomes also included the VAS score,the prevalence of postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.Results1 There were no differences in demographic data between the two groups(P>0.05).2 There was no statistically significant difference in MMSE scores between the two groups at T0(P>0.05);Compared to T0,the MMSE scores were significantly lower at T3 and T4(P<0.05);Compared to group C,the MMSE scores were significantly higher in group T at T3 and T4(P<0.05).3 There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of plasma S100β,SP and COR between the two groups at T0(P>0.05);Compared to T0,the plasma S100β,SP and COR levels were significantly higher at T1 and T2(P<0.05);Compared to group C,the levels of plasma S100β,SP and COR were significantly lower in group T at T1 and T2(P<0.05).4 TEAS also reduced the VAS score,decreased the prevalence of postoperative complications and shortened the hospital stay.Conclusions TEAS could improve postoperative cognitive function in senior patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colorectal surgery,which might be association with regulation of stress response and neuropeptides interacted with gut-brain axis.