Electrical stimulation of selected acupuncture points before flexible bronchoscopy reduced coughing and pain medication needs, potentially by increasing the body’s endorphin levels.
In this single-centre, randomised, single-blind controlled study, adults scheduled for flexible bronchoscopy were assigned either to receive electrical stimulation at three acupuncture points for thirty minutes before the procedure or to undergo the same preparation without stimulation. All participants received midazolam, and clinicians assessed coughing during bronchoscopy alongside medication use, procedural measures, vital signs, patient discomfort, blood biomarkers, and post-procedure complications.
Patients receiving pre-procedure electrical stimulation coughed less, required less lidocaine and fentanyl, and had higher blood endorphin concentrations. The procedure and passage of the bronchoscope through the vocal cords were shorter, and blood pressure was lower, while discomfort, sedation depth, oxygenation, heart rate, airway support, substance P concentrations, and complications were similar between groups.
