About this trial
This study is a single-centre randomised controlled trial. It aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory(TENS-WAA) combined with tramadol hydrochloride for analgesia during transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval, by comparing the analgesic effects and the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting between the TENS-WAA combined with tramadol hydrochloride group (experimental group) and the sham TENS-WAA combined with tramadol hydrochloride group (control group). Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory 30 minutes prior to the procedure, at a frequency of 2Hz with current intensity adjusted to the maximum tolerable level.Tramadol hydrochloride 100mg was administered intramuscularly 20 minutes before surgery. The control group received sham stimulation at the lowest intensity under identical conditions. The primary outcome measure was the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included skin conductance response, postoperative nausea scale, and vomiting scale.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Females aged between 21 and 42 years.
Patients diagnosed with infertility requiring oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer.
Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m².
Regular menstrual cycles with ultrasound monitoring demonstrating dominant follicle development and ovulation during the natural cycle; good ovarian reserve: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) < 10 IU/L, antral follicle count (AFC) > 6, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) > 1.5 ng/ml.
Disqualifiers
History of other chronic pain conditions, or prolonged use of opioid medications, history of anaesthetic drug addiction, or chronic alcohol abuse.
Severe pelvic adhesions.
Presence of pacemakers or other implanted medical electronic devices.
Concurrent use of high-frequency surgical equipment, artificial heart-lung machines, medical shortwave therapy, or microwave therapy devices.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation based on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture theory(TENS-WAA)