TEAS reduces wrinkle scores and improves patient-reported facial aging outcomes in 90-participant RCT
A randomized controlled trial evaluated transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for facial skin aging in 90 participants. The intervention involved 30-minute TEAS treatments five times weekly for four weeks, compared to acupuncture and sham-TEAS. Outcomes were assessed using the VISIA analysis system, FACE-Q scale, physician-rated and self-assessed Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) at weeks 4 and 8.
TEAS significantly reduced wrinkle scores at both week 4 and week 8 compared to baseline (p < 0.001) and achieved greater improvement than acupuncture (p < 0.05). FACE-Q scores increased significantly in both TEAS and acupuncture groups compared to sham-TEAS (p < 0.01), with TEAS showing greater improvement in Social Function (p < 0.05). Physician-rated and self-assessed GAIS and WSRS scores also improved in the TEAS group (p < 0.001).
Safety data, adverse events, and discontinuation rates were not reported. The study did not report effect sizes or absolute numbers for outcomes, limiting clinical interpretation. TEAS showed limited effects on other VISIA parameters beyond wrinkle reduction. Practice relevance is constrained by the small sample size, short follow-up, and lack of safety reporting. While TEAS appears noninvasive and effective for wrinkle reduction, these findings require replication in larger trials with comprehensive safety monitoring.
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