Objective To observe the effect of"Xingnao Kaiqiao"needling on the recovery of general anesthesia in mid-aged and elderly patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods A total of 140 patients were randomly divided into control and treatment groups

with 70 cases in each group.After termination of the endoscopy

patients of the treatment group received acupuncture stimulation of Neiguan(PC 6)

Shuigou(GV 26)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)with sterilized disposable filiform needles which were manipulated with twirling-reducing method for 3 min in PC 6

with lifting-thrusting reinforcing method in SP 6

and with bird-peck needling in GV 26.The patients of the control group were not given any treatment.Before

the immediate time of termination of the endoscope examination

resuscitation and 10 min after the endoscope examination

the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores were obtained to assess the patients' recognition function.The Bi-spectral Index(BIS)values were recorded to assess the patients' depth of sedation and anesthesia

and the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale(OAA/S)was used to evaluate the resuscitation/sedation level.Results Compared with the control group

the MMSE score of the treatment group was significantly higher at the 10 th min after endoscope examination(P<0.05)

suggesting an improvement of the cognitive function after acupuncture intervention.The duration from general anesthetic state(BIS values=40-60 points)to mild sedation(BIS values=80-90 points)was significantly shorter in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between the two groups in the OAA/S score at the 10 th min after endoscope(P>0.05).Conclusion "Xingnao Kaiqiao"needling stimulation has a significant effect on the recovery of middleaged and elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy during general anesthesia.