Effects of Chinese acupuncture on nausea and vomiting after cholecystectomy: A retrospective study

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients in four groups, mean ± SD/n (%)

Characteristics	Laparoscopic acupuncture group (n = 90)	Laparoscopic control group (n = 90)	Open acupuncture group (n = 30)	Open control group (n = 30)	Statistical value	P value
Age (years)	48.3 ± 12.7	49.1 ± 13.2	50.2 ± 11.8	49.8 ± 12.3	F = 0.847	0.469
Female	56 (62.2)	57 (63.3)	20 (66.7)	19 (65.0)	χ² = 0.325	0.955
BMI (kg/m2)	23.6 ± 3.2	23.8 ± 3.1	24.1 ± 3.3	23.9 ± 3.0	F = 0.762	0.516
ASA I classification	52 (57.8)	50 (55.6)	16 (53.3)	15 (51.7)	χ² = 0.414	0.937
Apfel score	2.7 ± 0.8	2.8 ± 0.7	2.9 ± 0.6	2.8 ± 0.7	F = 0.628	0.598
Surgery duration (minutes)	86.5 ± 24.7	88.3 ± 26.2	112.6 ± 32.8	116.4 ± 35.2	F = 14.216	0.062
Anesthesia duration (minutes)	115.3 ± 28.5	118.7 ± 30.1	138.4 ± 38.7	142.5 ± 40.3	F = 13.472	0.073

BMI: Body mass index; ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Table 2 Comprehensive analysis of post-operative nausea and vomiting onset time and severity, mean ± SD/n (%)

Assessment indicators	Acupuncture group (n = 120)	Control group (n = 120)	Statistics value	P value
Symptom severity
PONV VAS score, points	2.7 ± 1.4	4.5 ± 1.8	t = 8.456	< 0.01
Mild symptoms (VAS 1-3)	92 (76.5)	42 (35.1)	χ² = 41.832	< 0.01
Time effect analysis
Time to first PONV onset, hours	8.4 ± 2.1	4.2 ± 1.5	t = 17.429	< 0.01
Symptom-free period extension (hours)	4.2
Extension effect	100.0
Symptom-free patients
Symptom-free status within 6 hours post-op	81 (67.6)	34 (28.1)	χ² = 37.842	< 0.01
Symptom duration
Average duration, hours	2.8 ± 1.6	4.7 ± 2.3	t = 7.321	< 0.01
Reduction rate	40.4

PONV: Post-operative nausea and vomiting; VAS: Visual analogue scale.

Table 3 Multi-dimensional efficacy analysis of acupuncture intervention in post-operative nausea and vomiting prevention and treatment, mean ± SD/n (%)

Assessment indicators	Acupuncture group (n = 120)	Control group (n = 120)	Statistics value	P value
Symptom severity analysis
PONV VAS score, points	2.7 ± 1.4	4.5 ± 1.8	t = 8.456	< 0.01
Relative improvement	40.0%
Mild symptoms (VAS 1-3)	92 (76.5)	42 (35.1)	χ² = 41.832	< 0.01
Time effect analysis
Time to first PONV onset, hours	8.4 ± 2.1	4.2 ± 1.5	t = 17.429	< 0.01
Symptom-free period extension (hours)	4.2
Extension effect	100.0
Symptom-free patients
Symptom-free status within 6 hours post-op	81 (67.6)	34 (28.1)	χ² = 37.842	< 0.01
Symptom duration analysis
Average duration, hours	2.8 ± 1.6	4.7 ± 2.3	t = 7.321	< 0.01
Reduction rate	40.4
Rescue medication usage analysis
Rescue antiemetic medication usage	22 (18.3)	43 (35.8)	χ² = 9.524	< 0.01

PONV: Post-operative nausea and vomiting; VAS: Visual analogue scale; SD: Standard deviation.

Table 4 Comprehensive efficacy and subgroup analysis of acupuncture intervention in post-operative nausea and vomiting prevention and treatment, mean ± SD/n (%)

Assessment indicators	Acupuncture group (n = 120)	Control group (n = 120)	Statistics value	P value
Symptom severity analysis
PONV VAS score, points	2.7 ± 1.4	4.5 ± 1.8	t = 8.456	< 0.01
Relative improvement	40.0
Mild symptoms (VAS 1-3)	92 (76.5)	42 (35.1)	χ² = 41.832	< 0.01
Time effect analysis
Time to first PONV onset, hours	8.4 ± 2.1	4.2 ± 1.5	t = 17.429	< 0.01
Symptom-free period extension (hours)	4.2
Extension effect	100.0
Symptom-free patients
Symptom-free patients within 6 hours post-op	81 (67.6)	34 (28.1)	χ² = 37.842	< 0.01
Symptom duration analysis
Average duration, hours	2.8 ± 1.6	4.7 ± 2.3	t = 7.321	< 0.01
Reduction rate	40.4
Rescue medication usage analysis
Rescue antiemetic medication usage	22 (18.3)	43 (35.8)	χ² = 9.524	< 0.01
Age stratification analysis
≤ 45 years group reduction rate	23.5			< 0.05
> 45 years group reduction rate	16.8			< 0.05

PONV: Post-operative nausea and vomiting; VAS: Visual analogue scale.

Table 5 Clinical efficacy indicators and subgroup analysis, mean ± SD/n (%)

Assessment indicators	Acupuncture group (n = 120)	Control group (n = 120)	Statistical value	P value
Symptom severity
PONV VAS score, points	2.7 ± 1.4	4.5 ± 1.8	t = 8.456	< 0.01
Relative improvement	40.0
Mild symptoms (VAS 1-3)	92 (76.5)	42 (35.1)	χ² = 41.832	< 0.01
Time effect analysis
Time to first PONV onset, hours	8.4 ± 2.1	4.2 ± 1.5	t = 17.429	< 0.01
Symptom-free period extension (hours)	4.2
Extension effect	100.0
Symptom-free patients			χ² = 37.842	< 0.01
Symptom-free patients within 6 hours	81 (67.6)	34 (28.1)
Symptom duration analysis
Average duration, hours	2.8 ± 1.6	4.7 ± 2.3	t = 7.321	< 0.01
Reduction rate	40.4
Medication usage
Rescue antiemetic medication usage	22 (18.3)	43 (35.8)	χ² = 9.524	< 0.01
Gender subgroup
Female PONV overall incidence	70/162 (43.2)	70/162 (43.2)	χ² = 6.892	< 0.05
Male PONV overall incidence	21/78 (26.9)	21/78 (26.9)	χ² = 6.892	< 0.05
Efficacy by gender	Significant for both genders	Significant for both genders		< 0.05
Age stratification
≤ 45 years group reduction rate	23.5		F = 4.832	< 0.05
> 45 years group reduction rate	16.8		F = 4.832	< 0.05
Inter-age group difference	Better in ≤ 45 years group		F = 4.832	< 0.05
High-risk patients
High-risk patients (Apfel score ≥ 3)	47 patients	45 patients
PONV incidence in high-risk patients	17/47 (36.2)	28/45 (62.2)	χ² = 6.542	< 0.01
Risk reduction in high-risk patients	41.8
Safety profile
Total mild adverse reactions	7 (5.8)	0 (0)
Mild pain at acupuncture points	4 (3.3)	0 (0)
Minor local bleeding	2 (1.7)	0 (0)
Transient dizziness	1 (0.8)	0 (0)
Resolution	All self-resolved
Serious adverse reactions	None reported	None reported

PONV: Post-operative nausea and vomiting; VAS: Visual analogue scale.