Yeh, C.H., Chien, L.C., Chiang, Y.C., Ren, D., & Suen, L.K. (2015). Auricular point acupressure as an adjunct analgesic treatment for cancer patients: A feasibility study. Pain Management Nursing, 16, 285–293. 

To determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of auricular acupressure as an adjunct for pain treatment

The auricular points selected were individualized and ranged between five and nine points. Vaccaria seeds were taped in place to stimulate the acupoints. An acupoint locator was used to identify points for use. After the seeds were taped to the ear areas, participants were told to press each of the taped acupoints at least three times per day for three minutes, even if they did not have symptoms. Tape remained in place for seven days. Patients were called each day for the collection of data regarding pain and medication use. Each patient received written material about the acupressure technique.

• N = 50
• MEAN AGE = 65.5 years (range = 43–89 years)
• MALES: 46%, FEMALES: 54%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All had pain intensities of 3 or more on an 11-point scale; multiple tumor types
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: 92% Caucasian; 8% African American; 94% had at least secondary education; 72% were in active treatment

• SITE: Single site  
• SETTING TYPE: Home  
• LOCATION: Taiwan

• PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
• APPLICATIONS: Palliative care 

Quasi-experimental

• Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
• Medication Quanitification Scale (MQS) v3.0
• Adaptation of the Perceived Treatment Efficacy (PTE) assessment in rheumatoid arthritis

Pain severity, worst pain, average pain, and pain interference all declined over time (p < 0.001). Perceived efficacy was not statistically different over time. Average pain was lowest on day 3 and then began to increase. Overall, there was a 58.4% reduction in average pain. In total, 63% of participants took less pain medication than before the treatment, and only 8% were not satisfied with the treatment. Finally, 91% of recruited patients completed the study.

Auricular acupressure as an adjunctive pain treatment may be effective for patients with cancer-related pain. The self-management of auricular acupressure was feasible.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Risk of bias (no control group)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no random assignment)
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)  
• Other limitations/explanation: No information was provided about types of pain or analgesics used. Baseline pain levels were relatively low.

Auricular acupressure may be beneficial as an adjunctive analgesic treatment for patients with cancer-related pain. Patient self-treatment at home for seven days was feasible and well-received. Additional well-designed research of this intervention is warranted, and more research reporting the types of analgesics employed is needed.