Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on sleep quality in healthy volunteers under acute high-altitude exposure
LIU Xiaoyu
ZHANG Cailing
LI Xiao
LI Yi
LI Xiaojun
TUO Xiaoshuang
LU Zhihong
Abstract：Objective To investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)can effectively improve sleep quality in healthy volunteers under acute high-altitude exposure.Methods A total of 50 healthy volunteers under acute high-altitude exposure(altitude＞4 200 m)were included in the study.The subjects were divided into two groups by random number table method.The control group was treated with self-acclimatization without any intervention,while the TEAS group received TEAS at the Shenmen(HT7)and Neiguan(PC6)acupoints.Changes in sleep quality[total sleep time(TST),sleep efficiency(SE),sleep latency,wakeup after sleep onset,and number of awakenings),cognitive function scores(Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test,Trail Making Test,and Digit Span Test),and pulse oxygen saturation before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in TST before and after treatment in the TEAS group(P＞0.05).However,during the treatment period,TST significantly increased in the TEAS group compared with that in the control group,with clinical significance.Additionally,SE increased,and number of awakenings and total awakening time significantly decreased in the TEAS group(P＜0.05).Pulse oxygen saturation during the treatment period was higher in the control group than that in the TEAS group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05),but without clinical significance.There were no statistically significant differences in cognitive function between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion TEAS may have a positive impact on improving sleep quality in healthy volunteers under acute high-altitude exposure.
Keywords：plateautranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulationsleepcognitive functionhealthy volunteers
Publication Date：2024-11-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-08-26(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 1267-1271 )