Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on colonic spasm during colonoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

doi:10.4253/wjge.123453

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Publication Name

World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

ISSN

1948-5190

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Randomized Controlled Trial

Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.

World J Gastrointest Endosc. Sep 16, 2026; 18(9): 123453
Published online Sep 16, 2026. doi: 10.4253/wjge.123453

Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on colonic spasm during colonoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

Jia-Qi Chen, Fei Xing, Dan Cheng, Ming-Cui Qu, You-Hong Ren, Zhi-Hu Yang, Ming-Zhu Jing, Ya-Nan He, Ya-Zhuo Yuan, Hui-Xin Li, Na Xing

Jia-Qi Chen, Fei Xing, Dan Cheng, Ming-Cui Qu, Zhi-Hu Yang, Ming-Zhu Jing, Ya-Nan He, Ya-Zhuo Yuan, Hui-Xin Li, Na Xing, Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China

You-Hong Ren, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China

Co-first authors: Jia-Qi Chen and Fei Xing.

Co-corresponding authors: Na Xing and Hui-Xin Li.

Author contributions: Xing N and Li HX designed and planned the study as co-corresponding authors; Chen JQ and Xing F contributed equally as co-first authors; Chen JQ, Xing F, Cheng D and Ren YH recruited and followed up patients; Chen JQ and Qu MC analyzed the data; Chen JQ and Xing F drafted the manuscript; Yang ZH, Jing MZ, He YN and Yuan YZ provided critical revisions to the manuscript and supervised the research; all authors have approved the final manuscript and had full access to all the data in the study.

AI contribution statement: No AI tool was used to generate research data, interpret results, or formulate conclusions.

Supported by The Henan Clinical Research-oriented Doctor Program, No. HNCRD202427; and The Henan Medical Education Research Project, No. WJLX2025084.

Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Ethics Committee.

Clinical trial registration statement: This study is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The identification number is ChiCTR2500114656.

Informed consent statement: All study participants or their legal guardian provided informed written consent prior to study enrolment.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

CONSORT 2010 statement: The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CONSORT 2010 statement.

Data sharing statement: The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available because individual privacy could be compromised. However, they are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Corresponding author: Na Xing, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China. fccxingn@zzu.edu.cn

Received: May 19, 2026
Revised: July 22, 2026
Accepted: August 14, 2026
Published online: September 16, 2026
Processing time: 114 Days and 10.5 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Colonic spasm frequently occurs during painless colonoscopy, directly hindering endoscopic procedures and impairing patient recovery. Pharmacological antispasmodics are commonly used but have limited efficacy and potential adverse effects. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been shown to be beneficial for gastrointestinal regulation. We hypothesized that preoperative TEAS could reduce the incidence of intraoperative colonic spasm and improve postoperative recovery.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of TEAS in reducing colonic spasm and its impact on postoperative recovery.

METHODS

A total of 146 outpatients who underwent painless colonoscopy were randomly assigned to two groups: The TEAS group (Group T) and the control group (Group C). TEAS was applied for 20 minutes before anesthesia induction. The control group received electrode attachment but without stimulation. The primary outcome was the incidence of intraoperative colonic spasm. Secondary endpoints included spasm duration, postoperative pain, intraoperative and postoperative adverse events, polyp detection rate, colonoscope insertion time, awakening time, and patient and physician satisfaction.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Compared with Group C, Group T exhibited a significantly lower incidence of colonic spasm (9.86% vs 23.94%; relative risk = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.18-0.93; P = 0.025). Although the colonoscope insertion time and awakening time were shorter in Group T, the differences were not statistically significant. However, Group T demonstrated a shorter spasm duration, reduced postoperative pain, lower incidences of intraoperative hypotension and postoperative adverse events, as well as higher levels of both patient and physician satisfaction. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia or polyp detection rate between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative TEAS reduces colonic spasm and improves postoperative recovery, making it a safe, non-pharmacological option for painless colonoscopy.

Keywords: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation; Colonoscopy; Colonic spasm; Postoperative pain; Adverse events

Core Tip: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that preoperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) significantly reduced the incidence of colonic spasm during painless colonoscopy. Notably, it also improved perioperative hemodynamic stability, decreased postoperative pain and adverse events, and enhanced both patient and physician satisfaction without affecting procedural efficiency. As a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention, TEAS represents a novel preventive approach for colonic spasm. It overcomes the limitations of conventional antispasmodic agents and exhibits promising clinical application value in endoscopic anesthesia and perioperative patient care.