Abstract: OBJECTIVE   To investigate the effect of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the postoperative rehabilitation for elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumor.METHODS   60 cases of gastrointestinal tumor patients were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. Patients in the intervention group were given TEAS on PC6, ST36 and DU29 based on the treatment of the control group. The observed indexes were as following: mini-mental state examination (MMSE), ability of daily living (ADL), pressure and fall sores, postoperative break wind, defecation and eating, the duration of postoperative fever, off-bed activity, catheter removal, postoperative admission time and total admission time, along with the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), S100β and WBC.RESULTS   The duration of fever, off-bed activity, break wind, defecation and recovery time in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The total score of postoperative cognitive function, scores of orientation, memory and recall ability in the control group were significantly lower than those before treatment and in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The scores of ADL and pressure sore in the two groups on the operation day were significantly lower than those before operation (P < 0.01), while the fall scores were significantly higher (P < 0.01). Compared with the operation day, the ADL scores and pressure sore in the two groups before discharge were significantly higher (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the fall scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the intervention group was better (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with those before operation, the levels of WBC, IL-6, CRP and S100β in the two groups were significantly increased on the first day after operation (P < 0.01). Compared with the first day after operation, the WBC levels in the two groups were significantly decreased on the third day after operation, while the CRP levels were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The IL-6 level in the intervention group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the intervention group was improved better than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION   TEAS treatment in the perioperative stage can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and cognitive functions including orientation, memory and recall, promote early off-bed activity, reduce the risk of pressure and falls, relieve postoperative inflammatory reaction, and accelerate early recovery.