The effects of auricular acupressure on pain and quality of life in patients with lung cancer

This study examined the effects of auricular acupressure on the pain and quality of life of lung cancer patients. Forty-four participants, and were divided into an experimental group (n=22) and a placebo control group (n=22). The patients in the experimental group received vaccaria seed to the four auricular acupressure points. In contrast, the patients in the placebo control groups received auricular acupressure on cancer-related points unrelated to pain. The intervention was implemented for six weeks, with five consecutive days a week. The pain intensity, pain pressure threshold, and quality of life score were used to validate the effects of the treatment. The pain intensity of the experimental group showed a significant decrease compared to the placebo control group after the intervention (Z=-2.78, p=.006). The pain pressure threshold of the experimental group showed a significant increase compared to the placebo control group after the intervention (Z=-2.69, p=.007). The quality of life among lung cancer patients showed a significant increase after the intervention compared to the placebo control group (t=3.20, p=.003). Therefore, auricular acupressure can be used as a proven nursing intervention method for lung cancer patients from cancer-related pain and the quality of life.

[1]  Hyojung Park,et al.  Effects of auricular acupressure on pain and disability in adults with chronic neck pain. , 2019, Applied nursing research : ANR.

[2]  S. Du,et al.  Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials , 2017, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[3]  J. Lee,et al.  A Clinical Study of Electroacupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture for Abdominal Pain Relief in Patients with Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study , 2017 .

[4]  S. Sok,et al.  Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Primary Dysmenorrhea for Female High School Students in South Korea. , 2016, Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

[5]  D. Bovbjerg,et al.  Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Auricular Point Acupressure to Manage Symptom Clusters of Pain, Fatigue, and Disturbed Sleep in Breast Cancer Patients , 2016, Cancer nursing.

[6]  Laura M J Hochstenbach,et al.  Update on Prevalence of Pain in Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. , 2016, Journal of pain and symptom management.

[7]  Xian-Ce Sun,et al.  Effects of Acupuncture, Tuina, Tai Chi, Qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Five-Element Music Therapy on Symptom Management and Quality of Life for Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis. , 2016, Journal of pain and symptom management.

[8]  T. Young,et al.  Evaluating the NADA ear acupuncture protocol to improve wellbeing and quality of life for men diagnosed with prostate cancer , 2015 .

[9]  N. Morone,et al.  The Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain , 2015, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[10]  J. Emery,et al.  Symptoms and other factors associated with time to diagnosis and stage of lung cancer: a prospective cohort study , 2015, British Journal of Cancer.

[11]  J. H. Lee,et al.  Acute Analgesic Effect of Electroacupuncture on a Cancer Pain in a Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient : a Case Report , 2014 .

[12]  M. Klem,et al.  Efficacy of Auricular Therapy for Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis , 2014, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[13]  A. Gerhardt,et al.  Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life by Comprehensive Cancer Pain Therapy: A Pilot Study with Breast Cancer Outpatients under Palliative Chemotherapy , 2014, Oncology Research and Treatment.

[14]  Jaung-Geng Lin,et al.  Integrative acupoint stimulation to alleviate postoperative pain and morphine-related side effects: a sham-controlled study. , 2014, International journal of nursing studies.

[15]  Kunihiko Kobayashi,et al.  Lung cancer patients frequently visit the emergency room for cancer-related and -unrelated issues. , 2014, Molecular and clinical oncology.

[16]  E. Matsushima,et al.  Assessment of sleep disturbance in lung cancer patients: Relationship between sleep disturbance and pain, fatigue, quality of life, and psychological distress , 2014, Palliative and Supportive Care.

[17]  G. Kasymjanova,et al.  The potential role for acupuncture in treating symptoms in patients with lung cancer: an observational longitudinal study. , 2013, Current oncology.

[18]  Miyoung Kim,et al.  Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Menstrual Pain, Dysmenorrhea, and Academic Stress in Women College Students , 2013 .

[19]  N. Morone,et al.  A Randomized Clinical Trial of Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study , 2013, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[20]  Jae Hwan Kim,et al.  Recent trends in pharmacologic treatment of cancer pain , 2012 .

[21]  J. Shah,et al.  Acupuncture for pain and dysfunction after neck dissection: results of a randomized controlled trial. , 2010, Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[22]  H. Greenlee,et al.  Randomized, Blinded, Sham-controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-associated Joint Symptoms in Women with Early-stage Breast Cancer. , 2010, Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[23]  C. Hill,et al.  Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial. , 2003, Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[24]  Sadi Kaya,et al.  A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures: morbidity, mortality and management. , 2003, European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery.

[25]  Terry Oleson,et al.  Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture , 1990 .

[26]  A. Fischer.  Pressure algometry over normal muscles. Standard values, validity and reproducibility of pressure threshold , 1987, Pain.

[27]  A. Chaturvedi,et al.  Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review , 2015, Indian journal of palliative care.

[28]  W. Dongsheng.  Clinical Study of Electroacupuncture for Cancer Pain of Hepatoma , 2013 .

[29]  Song Feng-qi.  Clinical Observation on Analgesia Effect in Cancer Pain Treated with Acupuncture and Western Medicine , 2012 .

[30]  L. Min.  Efficacy and Safety of Compound Kushen Injection Combined with Zoledronic Acid for Ostealgia in Patients with Malignant Tumor and Osseous Metastases , 2012 .

[31]  J. Rosińćzuk,et al.  Oncotargets and Therapy Dovepress Quality of Life of Patients with Lung Cancer , 2022 .