Key Finding
Adding two-stage diphenhydramine to multimodal analgesia improved 24-hour recovery scores and reduced vomiting from 40% to 10% in women after thoracoscopic surgery.
This study examined whether adding an antihistamine medication called diphenhydramine to pain management protocols could improve recovery for women undergoing chest surgery. Researchers studied 80 women having video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive lung procedure. All participants received thoracic paravertebral nerve blocks for pain control, but half also received diphenhydramine in two stages: a small dose during surgery and a larger dose through their pain pump afterward, while the other half received placebo. The results showed that women who received diphenhydramine had significantly better overall recovery scores 24 hours after surgery. Most notably, they experienced much better sleep quality in the first two days after surgery and were much less likely to experience vomiting (only 10% compared to 40% in the placebo group). Pain levels were similar between groups, suggesting the improvement came from better sleep and reduced nausea rather than pain relief alone. No increase in side effects occurred with diphenhydramine use. This research highlights an important principle relevant to acupuncture care: comprehensive recovery after surgery involves more than just pain control. Traditional Chinese Medicine has long recognized that sleep quality, digestive comfort, and overall well-being are interconnected aspects of healing. Acupuncture practitioners often address post-surgical recovery by treating points that support sleep, reduce nausea, and promote overall restoration. For patients considering acupuncture as part of post-surgical care, seek a licensed acupuncturist experienced in integrative hospital settings.
This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 80 women (ASA I-III) undergoing elective VATS pulmonary resection. All received standardized thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) with 20 mL 0.4% ropivacaine, PCIA with sufentanil/ondansetron, and IV dexamethasone 10 mg. The intervention group (n=40) received two-stage diphenhydramine: 0.2 mg/kg bolus at chest closure plus 0.5 mg/kg via PCIA. Primary outcome was 24-hour Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score. Results showed significantly higher median QoR-15 scores in the diphenhydramine group (127 vs. 119.5, P=0.033), with markedly improved sleep quality (lower Athens Insomnia Scale scores at 24 and 48 hours, P<0.05) and reduced vomiting incidence (10% vs. 40%, P=0.004). Pain scores and adverse events were comparable. Clinical relevance: This demonstrates that optimal post-surgical recovery requires addressing non-analgesic factors including sleep architecture and emetic pathways, paralleling TCM's holistic approach to post-operative care.
Browse our directory of verified licensed practitioners near you.
Find a practitioner →📌 Dysregulation of m7G RNA modifications, catalyzed by three major methyltransferase complexes in the CNS, is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease, ALS, epilepsy, glioblastoma, and ischemic stroke.
📌 Acupuncture significantly reduced thyroid antibodies (TPOAb and TGAb) and TSH levels in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients, though methodological limitations prevent reliable clinical recommendations pending higher-quality research.
📌 Liproxstatin-1 significantly reduced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting ferroptosis through increasing neuroprotective factors GPX4 and FTH1 while decreasing ferroptosis markers NOX1, ACSL4, COX2, and TFR1.