Acupuncture has become increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. Within the scientific literature there is debate regarding its efficacy. Due to the complex nature of acupuncture, a scoping review was undertaken to identify and categorize the evidence related to acupuncture in companion animals (dogs, cats, and horses). Our search identified 843 relevant citations. Narrative reviews represented the largest proportion of studies (43%). We identified 179 experimental studies and 175 case reports/case series that examined the efficacy of acupuncture. Dogs were the most common subjects in the experimental trials. The most common indication for use was musculoskeletal conditions, and the most commonly evaluated outcome categories among experimental trials were pain and cardiovascular parameters. The limited number of controlled trials and the breadth of indications for use, outcome categories, and types of acupuncture evaluated present challenges for future systematic reviews or meta-analyses. There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials addressing the most common clinical uses of acupuncture, and using consistent and clinically relevant outcomes, to inform conclusions regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals.

Summary

Background and objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynaecological operations and receiving a patient-controlled analgesia device. Methods: Patients aged between 40 and 65 yr were included. Exclusion criteria were obesity, diabetes mellitus, and history of motion sickness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or smoking. Patients were randomized into one of two groups, acupressure and control. In the acupressure group, acupressure bands were placed on both wrists with the plastic bead positioned at the P6 point. In controls, beads were placed at a non-acupoint site. All patients received a standard general anaesthetic. Postoperatively, patients were connected to a patient-controlled analgesia device with morphine (loading dose 5 mg, background infusion 1 mg h−1, bolus dose 1 mg and lock-out time 10 min). Pain and sedation scores, respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were recorded for 24 h. Metoclopramide 10 mg was administered intravenously as a rescue antiemetic. Results: Fifty patients received acupressure and 50 were controls. In the acupressure group, 33% of patients had nausea compared with 63% controls. The cumulative incidence of vomiting at 24 h was 25% with acupressure and 61% in controls. The incidence of nausea, vomiting and antiemetic use was significantly lower with acupressure. Conclusions: Acupressure at the P6 meridian point is an effective alternative for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia with morphine after gynaecological surgery.

Summary

Background and objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory (acupressure and acupuncture) and optical stimulation (Laserneedle® acupuncture) on electroencephalographic bispectral index, spectral edge frequency and a verbal sedation score.

Methods: Twenty-five healthy volunteers (mean age ± SD: 25.5 ± 4.0 yr) were investigated during the awake state. The acupuncture point Yintang and a placebo control point were stimulated. The study was performed as a randomized, controlled and partly blinded cross-over trial.

Results: Bispectral index and spectral edge frequency values both decreased significantly (P < 0.001) during acupressure on Yintang to values of 62.9 (minimum 35) ± 13.9 bispectral index and to 13.3 (minimum 2.9) ± 8.1 Hz (spectral edge frequency right) and 13.8 (minimum 2.7) ± 7.3 Hz (spectral edge frequency left), respectively. Bispectral index was also significantly (P < 0.05) affected by Laserneedle® acupuncture and acupressure on the control point but the changes were not clinically relevant, 95.4 ± 4 and 94.2 ± 4.8, respectively. All interventions significantly (Yintang: P < 0.001; control point: P < 0.012) reduced verbal sedation score.

Conclusions: The study highlights the electroencephalographic similarities of acupressure induced sedation and general anaesthesia as assessed by bispectral index and spectral edge frequency.