The Effect of Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain in Elders

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major problem throughout the world and getting worse because of population increase and aging. The cost of treatment increases as the population of people with CLBP increases. This study aimed to examine the effect of auricular acupressure (AA) on pain and disability in elders with chronic low back pain. The randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled study was conducted on 51 elders with CLBP in South Korea from June 2019 to August 2019. The experimental group (n = 26) received AA on low back pain-related points, whereas the placebo control group (n = 25) received AA on points unrelated to low back pain. Participants received 6 weeks of AA in weekly cycles. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25. Statistically significant differences between the 2 groups emerged in the visual analog scale (P < .001), pain threshold (P < .001), and Oswestry Disability Index (P < .001). This study showed that 6 weeks of AA improved CLBP and pain-related disability. Therefore, AA can be used as a noninvasive and self-managed alternative intervention for CLBP in older adults.

The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Low Back Pain, Neuropathy and Sleep in Patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS): A Single-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Recently, patients with PSPS are interested in complementary and alternative approaches whose effect and safety have been proven [7]. Among complementary and alternative therapies, AA has been proven to be effective for a variety of pains, such as postoperative pain after surgery [8], cervicalgia [9], lumbago [10], etc., and are frequently utilized. AA is a representative complementary and alternative medicine used for various diseases based on acupuncture [11].…”

“…Although there are relatively many studies that applied AA to those with back pain and proved its effects, spinal surgery was excluded from the criteria for the subject selection, and there was no mention made as to whether or not a surgery was performed [15,16]. Since only some of the surgical patients were included [10], it was difficult to confirm its effect on only those who had undergone spinal surgery.…”

“…AA can reduce subjective pain [10]. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is generalized to measure subjective pain severity [16].…”

“…The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is generalized to measure subjective pain severity [16]. In addition, AA has a pain-control effect by increasing the pressure pain threshold (PPT), and the study of measuring PPT at a certain area using a pressure algometer can be said to be a scientific and valid approach [10]. Sleep assessment can increase the validity of studies by utilizing objective indicators that can quantify sleep along with subjective indicators such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).…”

Nurse-Administered Auricular Point Acupressure for Cancer-Related Pain

“…21,22 Accumulated extensive evidence has demonstrated the effects of APA on pain. [23][24][25][26] Evidence of APA as pain relief points to several potential biological mechanisms: (1) direct (ie, stimulation of trigeminal and vagus nerve innervation distributed on the ear) or indirect effects (eg, ear point stimulation as a conscious behavior) 27 , (2) modulation of inflammatory cytokine levels (decreased proinflammatory cytokines [IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α]) or stimulation to release anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-13 and IL-4) in the peripheral serum 19,[28][29][30] , and (3) modulation of nerve sensitivity, transmitting APA stimuli into neuronal signals to modulate pain in the central nervous system. 29 Nurses are the patient's first line of support in managing inpatient CRP; however, nurses have limited tools to deliver this support.…”