Attenuation of the catecholamine responses by electroacupuncture on Jen-Chung point during postoperative recovery period in humans.

In this study, Jen-Chung (J-C) point was stimulated by electroacupuncture (EA) in 10 patients, and by placebo treatment in 10 controls, immediately after termination of inhalation for 15 min. During the postoperative recovery period, plasma catecholamine (CA) levels were assessed before (0) and 15 and 30 min after treatment. The time from cessation of inhalation to the first eye opening and to extubation did not differ between groups. The plasma catecholamine levels increased by 30% from 0 to 15 min in the control group but decreased by 6% in the EA group. The levels at 30 min were approximately the same as at time 0. The change in catecholamine levels from 0 to 15 min was significantly lower (P < 0.02) in the EA groups than the control group.