Auricular Acupressure Can Modulate Pain Threshold

Nori, Stefania Lucia; Lorusso, Letizia; Secondulfo, Carmine; Monda, Marcellino; Viggiano, Andrea

doi:10.1155/2015/457390

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The general trend is to obtain greater autoalgometric values with greater test speeds. These findings are in accord with previous data on heat pain threshold [ 11 ] and deep tissue (large probe) pressure pain threshold [ 8 , 22 , 23 ]. However, the present study also shows that test speed has different effects, depending on: (1) kind of pain threshold (minimal or maximal), (2) gender, and (3) site of stimulation (finger tips or finger backs).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Autoalgometry: An Important Tool for Pressure Pain Threshold Evaluation

Lorusso

Salerno

Sessa

et al. 2018

JCM

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The term “pain threshold” refers to the measurement of the intensity of a physical stimulus that evokes pain. To estimate the pain threshold, a mechanical or electrical stimulus with increasing intensity is usually applied until the subject under evaluation refers to a pain sensation. This study aims to evaluate the autoalgometric pain threshold as a perfect technique to determine the effects of stimulation rate in relation to both gender and the site of stimulation. In this experimental model, pressure algometry was applied: the subject under evaluation pushed a finger against a small round metal tip, producing and at the same time controlling the intensity of the noxious stimulus. Through autoalgometry, the stimulus intensity was recorded over time, measuring the force change rate applied and studying the subject’s behavior on approaching pain. This test was performed with 50 healthy volunteers on two days, applying a fast or slow rate of stimulation. The results described demonstrate that there is a positive correlation between the pressure increase rate and the pressure threshold evaluation. In light of these findings, autoalgometry can be proposed as an objective measure of pressure pain threshold for clinical and research use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The procedure for pain threshold evaluation was described elsewhere [ 22 ]. Briefly, the instrument (autoalgometer) consisted of a cylindrical metal probe 1 mm in diameter with a round tip fixed in a vertical position to a cell load.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autoalgometry: An Important Tool for Pressure Pain Threshold Evaluation

Lorusso

Salerno

Sessa

et al. 2018

JCM

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“…Additionally, in neural pathways modulated by AA, levels of cortisol, serotonin, and norepinephrine also play an important role [ 51 ]. Specifically, Santoro and his colleagues claimed that auricular acupressure can increase pain threshold in pain management [ 52 ]. This viewpoint verifies the efficacy of auricular acupressure treatments on pain perception.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Lei

Duan

Hou

et al. 2017

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Objectives To identify the efficacy of auricular acupressure on pain and disability for chronic LBP by systematic review. Methods A search of randomized controlled trials was conducted in four English medical electronic databases and three Chinese databases. Two reviewers independently retrieved related studies, assessed the methodological quality, and extracted data with a standardized data form. Meta-analyses were performed using all time-points meta-analysis. Results A total of 7 trials met the inclusion criteria, of which 4 had the low risk of bias. The findings of this study showed that, for the immediate effect, auricular acupressure had large, significant effects in improving pain within 12 weeks. As for the follow-up effect, the pooled estimates also showed promising effect at 4-week follow-up after 4-week intervention (standardized mean difference = −1.13, 95% CI (−1.70, −0.56), P < 0.001). But, for the disability level, the therapeutic effect was not significant (mean difference = −1.99, 95% CI (−4.93, 0.95), P = 0.18). No serious adverse effects were recorded. Conclusions The encouraging evidence of this study indicates that it is recommended to provide auricular acupressure to patients with chronic low back pain. However, a more accurate estimate of the effect will require further rigorously designed large-scale RCTs on chronic LBP for improving pain and disability.

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“…APA, which requires gentle fingertip pressure at acupoints on the external ear, has the advantages of low cost and the potential for self‐administration. Once the seed is applied by a trained health provider, it can remain in place for a reasonable length of time and patients themselves can stimulate the acupoints (Santoro et al, ). Although adverse events associated with auricular therapy (acupuncture or acupressure on the external ear) have been reported, Tan, Molassiotis, Wang, and Suen () found that most problems (such as local discomfort, transient tenderness and pain, local skin irritation, minor bleeding, and dizziness) were short‐term, mild, and tolerable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pilot randomized controlled trial of auricular point acupressure for sleep disturbances in women with ovarian cancer

Kuo

Tsao

et al. 2018

Research in Nursing & Health

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Sleep disturbance is a significant problem affecting around 50% of cancer patients. Non-pharmacological interventions can be used to improve sleep quality in cancer patients, but little is known about the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of auricular point acupressure (APA) to reduce sleep disturbance in women with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at a publicly funded hospital in southern Taiwan. Fifty-five eligible women were approached and 47 women participated. Women randomly assigned to the control group (n = 24) received sleep hygiene practices alone. Women in the intervention group (n = 23) received sleep hygiene practices and APA treatment which involved gentle fingertip pressure at acupoints on the external ear. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was completed at four time points. Forty women completed the trial giving a retention rate of 85%. Women receiving the intervention reported a 65% reduction in sleep disturbance according to PSQI global scores from Time 1 (mean = 13.2) to Time 2 (mean = 4.65) after 4 weeks of APA treatment. There was a further 10% decrease in PSQI scores at Time 3 (mean = 4.21) after 6 weeks of APA treatment. Compared to controls, women receiving APA had significantly lower PSQI mean global scores at both Time 2 and Time 3 (p < .001). APA treatment for women with ovarian cancer produced significantly improved sleep. Participants found the procedure easy to perform. Pilot findings support the feasibility of a longitudinal study with a larger, representative sample.

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Auricular Acupressure Can Modulate Pain Threshold

Cited by 20 publications

References 37 publications

Autoalgometry: An Important Tool for Pressure Pain Threshold Evaluation

Autoalgometry: An Important Tool for Pressure Pain Threshold Evaluation

Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Pilot randomized controlled trial of auricular point acupressure for sleep disturbances in women with ovarian cancer

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