We are excited to share that our research department has published a pioneering article highlighting the potential advantages of administering preoperative acupuncture for patients experiencing high anxiety levels prior to total knee or hip replacement surgeries. This article is now accessible in the Journal of Integrated and Complementary Medicine.
This publication details a parallel-arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) carried out at the Bone and Joint Institute/Hartford Hospital. The study focused on examining the impact of preoperative acupuncture on both preoperative anxiety and pain levels, while also comparing acute postoperative pain outcomes between the acupuncture group and a control group. The research was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Pranjali Kainkaryam, who is the Director of Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain Management.
The research examined sixty middle-aged and elderly individuals, both genders, who were experiencing clinically validated preoperative anxiety while preparing for elective total hip or knee replacement surgeries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either preoperative acupuncture (n = 30) or no acupuncture treatment (n = 30) on the day of their surgery. The findings from this study indicate that preoperative acupuncture is a safe and effective method for alleviating perioperative anxiety and pain in patients undergoing these joints procedures.
Dr. Kainkaryam served as the senior author, principal investigator, and acupuncturist, collaborating closely with the other coauthors, which included a team of certified acupuncturists: Anat Bergner, MD; Eric Secor, PhD, ND; and Geriann Gallagher, DNP. The orthopedic surgical leadership comprised Dr. Nagarkatti, Dr. Witmer, and Dr. Shekhman. Additionally, the IAA Research Department was involved, with Sarah Vincze acting as coordinator and the main medical writer alongside coordinators Edmund Takata and Aseel Walker. Finally, the invaluable contribution of the senior scientist Gregory Panza from HH Research Administration.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kainkaryam, and her team on a job well done!
Kainkaryam P, Vincze S, Takata E, Secor E, Panza G, Walker A, Gallagher G, Bergner A, Finkel J, Kumar M, Witmer
D, Shekhman M, Nagarkatti D. Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Effects of Preoperative
Acupuncture in High Anxiety Patients Undergoing Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty. J Integr Complement Med. 2024
Oct 9. doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2024.0314. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39383026.
