Electroacupuncture for Preventing Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Electroacupuncture for Preventing Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial

Electroacupuncture may improve cognitive function and altered consciousness, but its effect on postoperative delirium in older arthroplasty patients remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture in preventing postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Electroacupuncture combines traditional acupuncture with electrical stimulation at specific body points. Recent clinical studies have shown promising results for acupuncture-related techniques in managing perioperative neurocognitive disorders. However, the efficacy of electroacupuncture in preventing postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty remains unexplored.This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in preventing postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 65-90 years
• American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class II or III
• Scheduled for elective unilateral total knee arthroplasty under general anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Baseline dementia or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 24
• Implanted electrical devices (eg, pacemakers, brain or spinal cord neurostimulator)
• Infection or abscess at any selected acupuncture point
• Severe hematopoietic or hemorrhagic disease
• Severe audio-visual impairments or inability to communicate in Mandarin
• Alcohol or illicit drug misuse disorder
• Current use of sedatives, antidepressants or glucocorticoids
• Received acupuncture or electroacupuncture within one month before surgery
• Any condition deemed unsafe or unsuitable by the research team