Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (6): 957-963.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.4004

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Electroacupuncture for pain control after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Li Yan1, 2, 3, Wang Pei1, 2, 3, Deng Donghuan4, Yan Wei1, 2, 3, Li Lei1, 2, 3, Jiang Hongjiang1, 2, 3   

  1. 1Shandong Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; 2Shandong Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; 3Weihai Orthopedic Clinical Research Center, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; 4Weihai Wendeng Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China
  • Online:2021-02-28 Published:2020-12-05
  • Contact: Jiang Hongjiang, MD, Chief physician, Shandong Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; Weihai Orthopedic Clinical Research Center, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Li Yan, Master, Physician, Shandong Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China; Weihai Orthopedic Clinical Research Center, Weihai 264400, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the Evidence-Based Capacity Building Project for Basic Chinese Medicine, No. [2019]130; the Sun Wenxue Inheritance Studio Construction Project of National Famous and Traditional Chinese Medicine Experts of State Administration of Chinese Medicine in 2018, No. [2018]134 ; the Fourth Batch of Key Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialty Construction Project in Weihai (Orthopedics), No. [2019]87

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Electroacupuncture has been commonly used in clinical practice for pain after total knee arthroplasty, but its effects and safety remain controversial. The efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in the treatment of pain after total knee arthroplasty were systematically evaluated.
METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on electroacupuncture in the treatment of pain after total knee arthroplasty from inception to December 31, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software. 
RESULTS: (1) A total of six studies involving 304 patients were included. (2) The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with control group, the experimental group had significantly lower visual analogue scale scores at 3 days [MD=-0.67, 95%CI(-1.01 to -0.33), P < 0.001], 7 days [MD=-0.60, 95%CI (-0.88 to -0.33), P < 0.001), 14 days [MD=-0.97, 95%CI(-1.74 to -0.21), P < 0.05) and end point of clinical trial (MD=-0.67, 95%CI(-1.04 to -0.30), P < 0.001), respectively, after total knee arthroplasty. There were no significant differences in visual analogue scale scores at 1 day after total knee arthroplasty [MD=-0.12, 95%CI(-0.64, 0.40), P > 0.05). (3) The incidence of postoperative vertigo was significantly lower in the trial group than that in the control group [OR=0.28, 95%CI(0.10, 0.78), P < 0.05]. (4) The incidence of postoperative vomiting was not significantly different between the trial and control groups [OR=0.83, 95%CI(0.37, 1.87), P > 0.05].
CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture has obvious advantages in the treatment of pain after total knee arthroplasty, which can significantly relieve the pain reaction of patients at 3, 7, 14 days and the end point of clinical trial, and can reduce the incidence of postoperative vertigo, but it cannot reduce the incidence of postoperative vomiting and pain at 1 day after total knee arthroplasty. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusions. 

Key words: bone, joint, knee arthroplasty, electroacupuncture, postoperative pain, vertigo, meta-analysis

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