Objective

2

To observe the effect of auricular electroacupuncture on the success rate of tracheal extubation in patients undergoing tracheotomy after stroke

and to explore its potential neuromodulatory mechanism.

Methods

2

A total of 84 patients with post-stroke tracheotomy were randomly divided into an observation group (42 cases

2 cases were eliminated and 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (42 cases

5 cases were eliminated). The routine treatment was administered in both groups. Additionally

swallowing electrical stimulation was operated

20 min each session in the control group. In the observation group

the auricular electroacupuncture was supplemented at Fei (lung

CO

14

) and Yanhou (pharynx larynx

TG

3

)

with intermittent wave

a frequency of 5 Hz and a current of 1 mA

and with needles retained for 20 min in each session. The treatment was administered once daily

and the duration of treatment was composed of 4 weeks at the interval of 1 day after 6 consecutive days of intervention in the two groups. The extubation success rate and extubation time of tracheotomy tube were compared between the two groups. Before and after treatment

the involuntary cough peak flow (ICPF)

the score of tracheal cough reflex grading scale (TCRGS)

pharyngeal transit time (PTT) and the score of Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) were observed

and the intervention safety was evaluated in the two groups.

Results

2

The extubation success rate of tracheotomy tube was 89.5% (34/38) in the observation group

higher than that in the control group (59.5% [22/37

]

P

<

0.01); the extubation time of tracheotomy tube in the

observation group was shorter than that in the control group (

P

<

0.001). After treatment

ICPF in both groups increased in comparison with that before treatment (

P

<

0.01)

and ICPF in the observation group was higher when compared with the control group (

P

<

0.01). The scores of TCRGS and PAS in both groups decreased in comparison with those before treatment (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05). PTT in both groups was shortened in comparison with that before treatment (

P

<

0.01)

and PTT in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (

P

<

0.01). No obvious adverse reactions were reported in either group.

Conclusion

2

Auricular electroacupuncture can increase the extubation success rate of tracheotomy tube and shorten the extubation time in patients with post-stroke tracheotomy

which may be associated with activating the auricular vagus nerve

enhancing the cough reflex and improving swallowing function.