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| Clinical observation of electroacupuncture in improving delirium in intensive care unit patients |
| Hits 137 Download times 79 Received:September 04, 2025 |
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| DOI
10.11656/j.issn.1673-9043.2026.01.03 |
| Key Words
electroacupuncture;delirium;intensive care unit;dexmedetomidine;Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 score |
| Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail | | MIAO Changhong | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300381, China
Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | XU Xinyi | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300381, China
Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | XIAO Lu | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300381, China | xljhy1987@126.com | | KONG Lingyi | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300381, China | | | CHEN Kuang | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300381, China | |
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| Abstract
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| [Objective] To evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in improving delirium in intensive care unit（ICU） patients，particularly regarding its impact on delirium duration，severity，and reduction of sedative use. [Methods] This prospective，single-center randomized controlled trial enrolled 76 ICU patients. They were randomly assigned to an electroacupuncture group（n=38） and a control group（n=38）. The electroacupuncture group received 30-minute electroacupuncture treatment with sparse-dense waves at 2/100 Hz [applied bilaterally at Zusanli（ST36） and Baihui（GV20） acupoints] once daily for 7 days，along with sedation using dexmedetomidine. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment and dexmedetomidine sedation. The primary endpoint was the change in the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98（DRS-R-98） score. Secondary endpoints included dexmedetomidine dosage，delirium duration，Acute Physiology and Chronic Health EvaluationⅡ（APACHE Ⅱ） score，and ICU length of stay. [Results] Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in improving DRS-R-98 scores（group effect，P<0.001）. DRS-R-98 scores significantly differed across time points after enrollment（time effect，P<0.001），showing a gradual decrease over time. A significant interaction between group and time on DRS-R-98 score changes was observed（P<0.001）. The electroacupuncture group used significantly less dexmedetomidine than the control group（P<0.05）. Delirium duration was significantly shorter in the electroacupuncture group（P<0.05）. The APACHE Ⅱ score improved significantly in the electroacupuncture group（P<0.05），but no significant difference was found in ICU length of stay between the two groups（P>0.05）. [Conclusion] Electroacupuncture can significantly improve delirium symptoms，shorten delirium duration，reduce sedative drug dosage，and improve the overall condition of ICU patients. As a safe and effective adjunctive therapy，electroacupuncture holds substantial clinical potential and offers a new non-pharmacological option for managing delirium in ICU patients. |
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