Imagine your brain is a bustling train station, but after lumbar spine surgery, the tracks get a little jumbled up. That’s when transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) hops on board to save the day! In this study, older patients who received TEAS intervention had a lower incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). By applying electrical stimulation to specific acupoints, TEAS reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in the blood and helped prevent brain fog. It’s like cleaning up the train tracks and keeping the trains running smoothly! Researchers found that a 3-day or 7-day TEAS intervention yielded similar results in reducing cognitive dysfunction. The potential benefits extend beyond just cognitive health, as TEAS could have broader applications in managing inflammation. So, go ahead and hop on the research train to explore the fascinating world of TEAS and its impact on brain function!
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in older patients with lumbar spine surgery.MethodsOlder patients (aged 60–80 years old) receiving lumbar spine surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into group A, 3-day intervention group; group B, 7-day intervention group; control group C, sham TEAS group, selected “Baihui” (GV 20) and “Dazhui” (GV 14) point was intervened once 30 min before operation with “HANS” transcutaneous electrical stimulation device, and then once a day after operation for 30 min each time. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment assessed by the use of the Mini Mental Rating Scale (MMSE), patients developed POCD according to the Z score method. The secondary outcome was serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor Necrosis factor α (TNF-α), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S100β protein levels.ResultsThree days after surgery, the incidence of POCD in groups A((22.4%)) and B ((18.3%)) were lower than those in group C ((42.9%)) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B (P > 0.05). Seven days after surgery, the incidence of POCD in group B (18.3%) was lower than that in groups A (26.5%) and B (42.9%), and the comparison between groups B and C was statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the 3rd and 7th days after surgery, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, NSE, and S100β in the two TEAS groups were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P < 0.01), but higher than the preoperative levels in the three groups (P < 0.01).ConclusionIt seems that Perioperative TEAS intervention could reduce the level of inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α in the blood of older patients with lumbar spine surgery, and reduce the incidence of POCD.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2200063030.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.