CLINICAL TRIAL article
Front. Med.
Sec. Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Perioperative Hypothermia in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- YZ
Yajie Zhao 1
- HL
HS LIANG 1
- KK
Kaidi Kang 1
- MS
Menghan Su 1
- QG
Qian Gao 1
- YW
Yaqing Wu 1
- WZ
Weixin Zhang 1
- YL
Yue Li 1
- LS
Liang Sun 1,2
- YF
Yi Feng 1,2
1. Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
2. Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
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Abstract
Background: Perioperative hypothermia is common during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique that may modulate thermoregulation; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials remains limited. This study evaluated whether TEAS prevents perioperative hypothermia in patients undergoing VATS. Methods: Adults scheduled for elective VATS under general anesthesia were randomized (1:1) to receive TEAS at predefined acupoints from 30 min before anesthesia induction until the end of surgery, or sham stimulation. The primary outcome was the incidence of perioperative hypothermia, defined as a core temperature < 36 °C. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative temperature trajectories, hemodynamic parameters, postoperative recovery metrics, and complications. Results: Of 92 enrolled patients, 88 completed the trial (mean age, 52.8 ± 10.0 years; 41 women) and were included in the final analysis (44 per group). The incidence of perioperative hypothermia was lower in the TEAS group than in the control group (15.9% [7/44] vs 40.9% [18/44]; P = 0.009; OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.100–0.748). Patients receiving TEAS maintained higher intraoperative core temperatures. The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the TEAS group than in the control group (2.3% [1/44] vs. 18.2% [8/44]; P = 0.030; OR, 0.105; 95% CI, 0.012–0.877). However, these findings were primarily driven by differences in postoperative shivering. No between-group differences were observed in other secondary outcomes. No TEAS-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Perioperative TEAS improved thermoregulation, reduced the incidence of perioperative hypothermia and shivering in VATS. As a safe, noninvasive intervention, TEAS may be a useful adjunct to standard perioperative temperature management.
Summary
Keywords
Acupuncture, complications, general anesthesia, Perioperative hypothermia, Teas, VATS
Received
29 January 2026
Accepted
03 April 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Zhao, LIANG, Kang, Su, Gao, Wu, Zhang, Li, Sun and Feng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: HS LIANG
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