Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Gastrointestinal Disturbances Induced by Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Liver Cancers

Background Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances occur in patients who receive chemotherapy via transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and could last for an extended period of time in some cases. Antiemetic drugs have a potential risk of developing hepatic failure and are ineffective for delayed nausea and emesis. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) has recently been reported to exert antiemetic and prokinetic effects, but it is unknown whether it has an ameliorating effect on TACE‐induced GI disturbances. Aim This study was designed to evaluate effects and mechanisms of noninvasive TEA on GI symptoms in patients treated with TACE. Materials and Methods Seventy‐four patients with liver cancers (eighteen female; age 63.4 ± 1.1 years) scheduled for TACE were randomized to TEA (n = 37) or sham‐TEA (n = 37). TEA was performed via acupoints, ST36 and PC6 using parameters previously optimized for GI motility (1 h, bid) from the postoperative day 0 (POD0) to POD2. Sham‐TEA was performed using the same parameters via non‐acupoints. Symptom questionnaires were completed daily. The electrogastrogram (EGG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded in the fasting state for 30 mins to assess gastric slow waves and autonomic functions, respectively, before and after the 3‐day treatment. Results 1) In the acute phase (24 h), TEA, compared with sham‐TEA, decreased the percentage of patients who experienced nausea on POD3 (0% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.021), the nausea score on POD3 (p = 0.022), the anorexia score on POD2 (p = 0.040) and POD3 (p = 0.004), and the bloating score (POD1‐3: p