Positive Health Online

Abstract

SATOR-KATZENSCHLAGER and MICHALEK-SAUBERER, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (B), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, sabine.sator-katzenschlager@meduniwien.ac.at, have reviewed (71 references) an electro-acupuncture device for pain relief.

Abstract: Acupuncture is now accepted as a complementary analgesic treatment. Auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) is a distinct form of acupuncture. Electrical stimulation of acupoints (electroacupuncture) increases the effects of acupuncture. Recently, an auricular electroacupuncture device, the P-Stim, has become available. Clinical studies in outpatients have investigated the P-Stim in chronic musculoskeletal pain and its use for minor surgery. In chronic neck or low back pain, auricular electroacupuncture was more effective than conventional auricular acupuncture. The results in acute pain were controversial. Auricular electroacupuncture reduced pain and analgesic consumption during oocyte aspiration when compared with conventional auricular acupuncture or a sham treatment. However, after third molar tooth extraction, auricular electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture failed to reduce either postoperative pain or analgesic consumption. Further large-scale studies are required to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of auricular electroacupuncture.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Sator-Katzenschlager SM,  Michalek-Sauberer A. P-Stim auricular electroacupuncture stimulation device for pain relief. Expert Review of Medical Devices 4 (1): 23-32, Jan 2007.