Electroacupuncture anesthesia for laparotomy in goats.

Background: The objective of the study to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture during laparotomy in goats. Aim: To study the abdominal anesthesia in goats by electroacupuncture using the physiological variables, vital parameters, hematological, biochemical, cortisol hormone, pain threshold, and wound healing for laparotomy in goats. Methods: Fifteen healthy adult bucks were used to receive electroacupuncture in 10 newly selected acupoints. The data (M ± SD) were assessed at intervals (0 minutes) before induction (control group), (5 minutes), (10 minutes), (15 minutes), and (20 minutes) during induction, (30 minutes), (45 minutes), and (60 minutes) throughout surgery and (24 hours) after surgery, cortisol levels in serum at (0), (24 hours), and (72 hours) throughout laparotomy. Results: The goats of the study showed improvement in the rates of eyelid closure, head, and neck relaxation, rumen motility, and tympany which were graded into mild (+), moderate (++), and severe (+++) degrees. The respiratory rates, body temperatures, and capillary fill times were not significantly different. The total mean of hematocrit was (19.9 ± 2.68), the total mean of hemoglobin was (9.9 ± 0.94), the total mean of red blood cells was (7.9 ± 0.8), the total mean of platelets was (244,861.3 ± 138,444.8) and the total mean of SPO2 was (70.5 ± 4.6). ALT and AST showed no significance. The significant mean cortisol level was (2.6 ± 2.01) and the significant mean pain threshold level was (0.02 ± 0.03). The results proved that electroacupuncture had a lot of significant parameters. The wound healing was improved by early epithelization and immature granulation tissue (at 7 days). Thick keratinized epithelization and collagen deposition in the dermal tissue with enhanced angiogenesis (at 14 days). Mild restoration of skin and the dermal tissue was well-organized (at 21 days). Besides, well-formed scar tissue covering a highly cellular organized dermal tissue (at 28 days). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture had been considered a powerful anesthetic for abdominal surgery in goats. Moreover, wound healing proved excellent and better healing.

Peripheral receptors and neuromediators involved in the antihyperalgesic effects of acupuncture: a state-of-the-art review.

The present study aims to describe state-of-the-art of preclinical studies that have investigated peripheral receptors and neuromediators involved in the antihyperalgesic effects of acupuncture. The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using the integrative review method. Preclinical articles that involved the study of peripheral receptors and neuromediators on the pain control effects of acupuncture in rats or mice were selected using a predefined search strategy. From this search, 456 articles were found, and 29 of them met the inclusion criteria of the study. The selected articles addressed the following peripheral receptors: opioid (n = 9), adenosine (n = 5), cannabinoid (n = 5), transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) (n = 3), histamine (n = 2), adrenergic (n = 1), muscarinic (n = 1), corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) (n = 2), IL-1 (n = 1), and endothelin (n = 1) receptors. The peripheral neuromediators correlated with the peripheral pain control effect were as follows: opioid peptides (n = 4), adenosine (n = 3), histamine (n = 1), substance P (n = 1) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (n = 1), anandamide (n = 1), nitric oxide (n = 1), and norepinephrine (n = 1). This review summarizes the methods used to investigate the peripheral effects of acupuncture and discusses the main findings on each family of receptors and neuromediators. Ten families of peripheral receptors and 8 types of neuromediators were correlated with the antihyperalgesic effects of acupuncture in preclinical studies. Considering the benefits of a better understanding of the role of peripheral receptors and neuromediators in the context pain management, the findings of the present study highlight the importance of deepening the exploration of the peripheral mechanisms of acupuncture.

The use and protective effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation during abdominal surgery: study protocol for a multicenter randomized parallel controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture-balanced anesthesia has been found to offer protective benefits. Electrical stimulation at certain acupoints can potentially promote perioperative gastrointestinal function recovery. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of acupuncture-balanced anesthesia on the postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function, on anesthesia strategies for abdominal surgery, on postoperative pain treatment, and on any associated complications or alterations in immune function. We further seek to verify the protective effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), to explore possible underlying neuroimmune-endocrine mechanisms, and to thereby develop an optimized acupuncture-balanced anesthesia strategy suitable for abdominal surgery. Together, these findings will provide a scientific basis for the clinical utilization of acupuncture-balanced anesthesia in the context of abdominal surgery. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a multicenter, large-sample, randomized placebo-controlled trial. All subjects will be patients undergoing elective gastric or colorectal surgery. In Part 1, these patients will be stratified according to surgical site (gastric or colorectal), and randomly divided into four groups based on different perioperative interventions: Con group, which will undergo sham TEAS before, during, and after surgery; T1 group, which will receive TEAS during the preoperative and intraoperative periods, and sham TEAS during the postoperative period; T2 group, which will receive TEAS during the preoperative period, sham TEAS during the intraoperative period, and TEAS during the postoperative period; and T3 group, which will receive TEAS before, during, and after operation. Part 2 of this study will focus solely on colorectal surgery patients. All patients will receive TEAS during the preoperative and intraoperative periods, and they will be randomized into four groups according to different postoperative treatments: Con' group, which will not receive TEAS; T1' group, which will receive sham TEAS; T2' group, which will receive 5-Hz TEAS; and T3' group, which will receive 100-Hz TEAS. Venous blood (5 ml) will be used to measure immunological and inflammatory indexes both at the preoperative stage prior to TEAS and 4-5 days after operation. The primary outcome will be the time to first bowel sounds after surgery. Secondary outcomes will include gastrointestinal functional recovery, analgesic efficacy during the postoperative period, acupuncture-balanced anesthesia efficacy, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative complications. DISCUSSION: This study is designed to investigate the clinical value of TEAS during various perioperative periods in those undergoing abdominal surgery, with the overall goal of evaluating the clinical value and advantages of acupuncture-balanced anesthesia, and of providing new strategies for improving patient prognoses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-14004435. Registered on 26 March 2014.

Efectividad de la acupuntura con microsistema de cara como tratamiento de pacientes con cefalea migrañosa / Effectiveness of Acupuncture with a Facial Microsystem as a Treatment for Patients with Migraine Headache

RESUMEN Introducción: La cefalea es uno de los trastornos más comunes del sistema nervioso en todo el mundo, frecuentemente es signo de otras enfermedades. Mientras la medicina occidental trata los síntomas con medicamentos, los médicos alternativos tratan la causa con acupuntura para proporcionar alivio duradero. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la acupuntura con microsistema de cara como tratamiento de pacientes con cefalea migrañosa. Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo casos-controles con 100 pacientes que asistieron a la Clínica del Dolor del Hospital "Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo", en Santiago de Cuba, con diagnóstico de cefalea migrañosa, desde enero de 2014 a noviembre de 2015. Al grupo estudio se aplicó acupuntura con microsistema de cara; al grupo control, medicamentos. La información se obtuvo de las historias clínicas, el dolor se valoró con la escala analógica visual del dolor. Se aplicó Ji cuadrado de homogeneidad para la identificar diferencias significativas entre las proporciones de efectividad de uno y otro tratamiento, con un nivel de significación (α;= 0,05). Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (70,00 por ciento), el grupo etareo 18-39 años, de ellos 40 en el grupo estudio (80,00 por ciento), 43 en el control (86,00 por ciento). En el grupo estudio el 82,00 por ciento de los pacientes quedó sin dolor desde la primera sesión del tratamiento, el 18,00 por ciento con dolor disminuido. Al final del tratamiento el 98,00 por ciento del grupo estudio quedó sin dolor contra el 96,00 por ciento del grupo control. Conclusión: La acupuntura con microsistema de cara es un método alternativo efectivo en el tratamiento de la cefalea migrañosa(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Headache is one of the most common nervous system disorders worldwide. It is frequently a sign of other diseases. While Western medicine treats symptoms with medications, alternative practitioners treat the cause with acupuncture to provide long-lasting relief. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture with a facial microsystem as a treatment for patients with migraine headache. Methods: Quasiexperimental case-control study with 100 patients who attended the Pain Clinic at Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, with a diagnosis of migraine headache, from January 2014 to November 2015. The study group was applied acupuncture with a facial microsystem. The control group was treated with medicines. The information was obtained from the medical records. The pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Chi-square test of homogeneity was applied in order to identify significant differences between the proportions of effectiveness of one treatment and another, with a level of significance α =0.05. Results: There was predominance of the female sex (70.00 percent), age group 18-39 years, among them 40 in the study group (80.00 percent) and 43 in the control group (86.00 percent). In the study group, 82.00 percent of patients remained without pain from the first session of treatment and 18.00 percent with pain decreased. At the end of the treatment, 98.00 percent of the study group remained without pain in opposition to 96.00 percent of the control group. Conclusion: Acupuncture with a facial microsystem is an effective alternative method in the treatment of migraine headache(AU)

Influences of De Qi induced by acupuncture on immediate and accumulated analgesic effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: De Qi is a special sensational response upon acupuncture needling. According to traditional acupuncture theory, the treatment is "effective only after Qi arrival"; that is, De Qi is an important indicator of therapeutic efficacy and good prognosis. However, it is still disputable whether De Qi improves the efficacy of acupuncture therapy. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to explore the influence of De Qi induced by acupuncture on immediate and accumulated analgesic effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS/DESIGN: Eighty-eight patients with KOA will be recruited and randomly assigned to the De Qi group (enhanced stimulation to evoke De Qi) and the control group (weak stimulation to avoid De Qi) in the Department of Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University. Each patient will receive three 30-minute sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks and undergo a 1 month follow-up. The severity of knee pain, as measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale (where 0 indicates no pain and 100 indicates intolerable pain) will be used as the primary outcome, and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score will be used as the secondary outcome. Both indexes will be measured before and after the 1st (for evaluating the immediate analgesic effects), 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th (for evaluating the accumulated analgesic effects) treatments and at the end of the follow-up. The intensity of the De Qi sensation will be assessed by the Chinese-Modified Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale at the end of each treatment. Side effects during the treatments will be recorded and analyzed as well. The comparisons between the De Qi group and the control group will be done by using both an intention-to-treat analysis and a per-protocol analysis. DISCUSSION: This prospective randomized controlled study will be helpful in enhancing our understanding of the analgesic effect of De Qi on patients with KOA and may provide a clinical basis for further investigation of the relationship between De Qi and the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, thereby offering some evidence for the role of De Qi in an efficacious acupuncture therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IIR-16008972 . Registered on 4 August 2016 Additional file 2.

Acute Spinal Epidural Hematoma After Acupuncture: Personal Case and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal acupuncture is a relatively safe and common analgesic treatment, but it may be complicated by serious adverse effects, such as direct spinal cord and nerve root injury, subdural empyema, and epidural abscesses. In this report we compare our case of an extremely uncommon spinal epidural hematoma, which appeared after treatment by acupuncture, with other similar documented cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: This is the case of a 64-year-old man who presented a left hemiparesis associated with paraesthesia. This appeared several hours after acupuncture treatment for left lumbosciatic pain. The cervicothoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a cervicothoracic spinal epidural hematoma from C2 to T12. The rapid improvement of the patient's neurologic symptoms justified the adoption of a conservative treatment strategy. This gave excellent long-term results. CONCLUSIONS: Although a post-acupuncture spinal epidural hematoma (paSEH) is very rare, there are only 6 documented cases, it is a possible complication from acupuncture on the back. The use of very thin needles can produce bleeding, probably venous, in the epidural space. In general, this evolves more slowly than other kinds of epidural hematomas. The symptoms are also less severe, warranting less frequent surgical intervention, and in general there is a good outcome. The possibility of hematoma makes acupuncture contraindicated in patients who have coagulation disorders. The onset of severe spinal pain after spinal or paraspinal acupuncture treatment should lead to the suspicion of a paSEH, and a spinal MRI should be carried out.

Acupuncture vs intravenous morphine in the management of acute pain in the ED.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is one of the oldest techniques to treat pain and is commonly used for a large number of indications. However, there is no sufficient evidence to support its application in acute medical settings. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized trial of acupuncture vs morphine to treat ED patients with acute onset moderate to severe pain. Primary outcome consists of the degree of pain relief with significant pain reduction defined as a pain score reduction ≥50% of its initial value. We also analyzed the pain reduction time and the occurrence of short-term adverse effects. We included in the protocol 300 patients with acute pain: 150 in each group. RESULTS: Success rate was significantly different between the 2 groups (92% in the acupuncture group vs 78% in the morphine group P<.001). Resolution time was 16±8 minutes in the acupuncture group vs 28±14 minutes in the morphine group (P<.005). Overall, 89 patients (29.6%) experienced minor adverse effects: 85 (56.6%) in morphine group and 4 (2.6%) in acupuncture group (P<.001). No major adverse effects were recorded during the study protocol. In patients with acute pain presenting to the ED, acupuncture was associated with more effective and faster analgesia with better tolerance. CONCLUSION: This article provides an update on one of the oldest pain relief techniques (acupuncture) that could find a central place in the management of acute care settings. This should be considered especially in today's increasingly complicated and polymedicated patients to avoid adverse drug reactions.

An update on acupuncture point injection.

This overview reports the global research advances in acupuncture point injection in the last 5 years. Acupuncture point injection can be applied to a wide range of curable diseases, predominantly those involving pain, but it has poor clinical evidence. Progress has been attained in the mechanism research on acupuncture point injection, but further studies remain necessary. With the reported adverse effects of acupuncture point injection, the need to standardize its clinical procedure has become urgent.

Tratamiento acupuntural y medicamentoso en el alivio de la cervicalgia / Drug and acupuncture therapies in neck pain relieving

INTRODUCCIÓN: el dolor cervical es considerado como uno de los síntomas más relevantes del de espalda, con una incidencia del 10 % de la población adulta, lo cual influye en la calidad de vida de las personas. OBJETIVO: comparar la eficacia de la acupuntura y del tratamiento medicamentoso para el alivio de la cervicalgia no traumática. MÉTODOS: estudio comparativo, abierto y aleatorizado en 100 pacientes de ambos sexos mayores de 18 años, seleccionados aleatoriamente en el municipio Marianao. Se conformaron dos grupos de 50 pacientes cada uno; al grupo A se le aplicó tratamiento con acupuntura y al grupo B terapia con analgésicos y antiinflamatorios no esteroideos. La evaluación comparativa de los resultados se realizó por la prueba de Mc Gill modificada, al quinto día y al final del tratamiento. Para el análisis y el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó la prueba de chi cuadrado. RESULTADOS: no hubo diferencias significativas para el alivio del dolor a favor de alguno de los tratamientos aplicados, aunque los pacientes tratados con acupuntura refirieron la mejora del dolor cervical, además de un menor tiempo de tratamiento. CONCLUSIÓN: ambos tratamientos son igualmente eficaces para el alivio de la cervicalgia, pero el acupuntural deviene en una terapia electiva a considerar por la rapidez en el alivio del dolor.

INTRODUCTION: the high incidence of cervical pain at the consultations of health areas has motivated this study, which was carried out during year in patients with neck pain diagnosis. 10 % of the population suffers cervical pain in a specific moment of their lives; it represents an important factor for their professional lives. OBJECTIVE: to compare the acupuncture efficacy and the medical treatment for relieving non-traumatic neck pain. METHODS: a comparative, open and randomized study was conducted in 100 patients of both sexes older than 18 years. They were randomly selected in Marianao municipality. Two groups of 50 patients each were formed; group A had acupuncture treatment and group B therapy had analgesics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The result comparative evaluation was performed by Mc Gill modified test, on the fifth day and at the end of treatment. For data processing and analyzing, chi square test was used. RESULTS: there was no significant difference for pain relief in any of the treatments applied, although patients treated with acupuncture reported improvement neck pain, and a shorter treatment time. CONCLUSIONS: both treatments are equally effective for neck pain relief, but acupuncture therapy is an option to consider due to fast pain relief.

Tratamiento acupuntural y medicamentoso en el alivio de la cervicalgia / Drug and acupuncture therapies in neck pain relieving

Introducción: el dolor cervical es considerado como uno de los síntomas más relevantes del de espalda, con una incidencia del 10 por ciento de la población adulta, lo cual influye en la calidad de vida de las personas. Objetivo: comparar la eficacia de la acupuntura y del tratamiento medicamentoso para el alivio de la cervicalgia no traumática. Métodos: estudio comparativo, abierto y aleatorizado en 100 pacientes de ambos sexos mayores de 18 años, seleccionados aleatoriamente en el municipio Marianao. Se conformaron dos grupos de 50 pacientes cada uno; al grupo A se le aplicó tratamiento con acupuntura y al grupo B terapia con analgésicos y antiinflamatorios no esteroideos. La evaluación comparativa de los resultados se realizó por la prueba de Mc Gill modificada, al quinto día y al final del tratamiento. Para el análisis y el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó la prueba de chi cuadrado.Resultados: no hubo diferencias significativas para el alivio del dolor a favor de alguno de los tratamientos aplicados, aunque los pacientes tratados con acupuntura refirieron la mejora del dolor cervical, además de un menor tiempo de tratamiento. Conclusión: ambos tratamientos son igualmente eficaces para el alivio de la cervicalgia, pero el acupuntural deviene en una terapia electiva a considerar por la rapidez en el alivio del dolor(AU)

Introduction: the high incidence of cervical pain at the consultations of health areas has motivated this study, which was carried out during year in patients with neck pain diagnosis. 10 percent of the population suffers cervical pain in a specific moment of their lives; it represents an important factor for their professional lives.Objective: to compare the acupuncture efficacy and the medical treatment for relieving non-traumatic neck pain.Methods: a comparative, open and randomized study was conducted in 100 patients of both sexes older than 18 years. They were randomly selected in Marianao municipality. Two groups of 50 patients each were formed; group A had acupuncture treatment and group B therapy had analgesics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The result comparative evaluation was performed by Mc Gill modified test, on the fifth day and at the end of treatment. For data processing and analyzing, chi square test was used.Results: there was no significant difference for pain relief in any of the treatments applied, although patients treated with acupuncture reported improvement neck pain, and a shorter treatment time.Conclusions: both treatments are equally effective for neck pain relief, but acupuncture therapy is an option to consider due to fast pain relief(AU)

Electroacupuncture analgesia in a rabbit ovariohysterectomy.

This study investigated the effectiveness of electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) at local and paravertebral acupoints for a rabbit undergoing an ovariohysterectomy. Twelve clinically healthy New Zealand white rabbits were chosen and divided into two groups: the control group (5 rabbits) and the experimental group (7 rabbits). A neuroleptanalgesic (ketamine + xylazine) was administered to the control group (NLA group); the experimental group received EAA treatment (EAA group). The EAA treatment includes one acupuncture formula for local stimulation at the incision site and systemic stimulation. Results of clinical research have shown postoperative analgesia using EAA treatment to be superior to that using NLA. The average postoperative recovery time was 5.2 times longer in the NLA group than in the EAA group. Because consciousness was maintained, EAA presented an advantage in thermoregulation. Animals administered NLA had prolonged thermal homeostasis because of neurovegetative disconnection. For the EAA group, the operative times were characterized as excellent (28%, p = 0.28) or good (72%, p = 0.72). Local stimulation at the incision site provided excellent analgesia of the abdominal wall (100%). In conclusion, EA can provide general analgesia with a considerable analgesic effect for a rabbit undergoing an ovariohysterectomy, resulting in a short postoperative recovery time.

The acupunctured lung.

We discuss a 72-year-old woman admitted with acute shortness of breath and severe sharp chest pain several hours after receiving acupuncture therapy. She was subsequently diagnosed as having an iatrogenic pneumothorax secondary to acupuncture. We discuss the complications of acupuncture and why patients should be informed of the risks of such procedures.

[Clinical observation of the impacts and safety of electroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on labor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on labor and assess its safety. METHODS: The random and single-blind method was adopted to divide 111 cases of the puerperas of natural delivery into an EA group (38 cases), a sham-acupuncture group (37 cases) and a blank control group (36 cases). In EA group, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) was selected and stimulated with Han's acupoint nerve stimulator (HANS). In the sham-acupuncture group, the puerperas were stimulated only with the needle tube, needle removed in advance and they felt subjectively to be needled. Afterward, the filiform needle was attached to Sanyinjiao (SP 6) with the needle tip wrapped with the adhesive plaster in advance, then HANS which one conducting wire was cut off in was connected. In the blank control group, no any treatment was applied, but the same indices were recorded at corresponding time points. The blood pressure and the heart rate of the puerperas as well as the heart rate of fetus were measured in 20 min of EA and 30 min after needle removal in three groups separately. The bleeding 24 h after labor and 1 min Apger score of the newborns were observed. RESULTS: In EA group, the active phase of the 1st labor stage ((4.38 +/- 1.76)h) was shorter than that ((5.28 +/- 2.41)h) in the blank control group and that ((5.38 +/- 2.36)h) in the sham-acupuncture group, presenting statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). In the latent phase of the 1st labor stage and the 2nd and 3rd stages, in the comparison of the blood pressure and the heart rate of the puerperas as well as the heart rate of fetus after EA, the bleeding 24 h after labor and 1 min Apger score of the newborns among three groups, there were no statistically significant differences (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can shorten the duration of the active phase of the 1st labor stage. It is safe for either the puerpera or the fetus and can assist the parturition quality in clinic.

Acupuncture as analgesia for low back pain, ankle sprain and migraine in emergency departments: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain is the most common reason that patients present to an emergency department (ED) and is often inadequately managed. Evidence suggests that acupuncture is effective for pain relief, yet it is rarely practiced in the ED. The current study aims to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for providing effective analgesia to patients presenting with acute low back pain, migraine and ankle sprain at the EDs of four hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. METHOD: The study is a multi-site, randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial of acupuncture analgesia in patients who present to an ED with low back pain, migraine or ankle sprain. Patients will be block randomized to receive either acupuncture alone, acupuncture as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone. Acupuncture will be applied according to Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). Pain after one hour, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes measures include the following instruments; the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire, 24-hour Migraine Quality of Life questionnaire and Patient's Global Assessment of Ankle Injury Scale. These measures will be recorded at baseline, 1 hour after intervention, each hour until discharge and 48±12 hours of ED discharge. Data will also be collected on the safety and acceptability of acupuncture and health resource utilization. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will determine if acupuncture, alone or as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy provides effective, safe and acceptable pain relief for patients presenting to EDs with acute back pain, migraine or ankle sprain. The results will also identify the impact that acupuncture treatment may have upon health resource utilisation in the ED setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12609000989246.

Report of adverse event with electroacupuncture.

Electroacupuncture (EA) is becoming more common as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain. It can be associated with adverse events related to the small electric currents used, in addition to the adverse events related to needle penetration of tissues. This paper reports a case of minor tissue damage following high intensity EA for 30 min with a device delivering a waveform that does not appear to be completely charge-balanced. This case highlights a rare but preventable adverse event. Manufacturers should be encouraged to develop EA stimulators that use charge-balanced waveforms.