Auricular acupressure for analgesia in perioperative period of total knee arthroplasty. [Effect of assisted anesthesia of auricular point magnetic sticking on postoperative recovery of gynecological surgery]. Auricular Acupressure for Managing Postoperative Pain and Knee Motion in Patients with Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Sham Control Study Randomised controlled study in the primary healthcare sector to investigate the effectiveness and safety of auriculotherapy for the treatment of uncomplicated chronic rachialgia: a study protocol A Randomized Exploratory Study to Evaluate Two Acupuncture Methods for the Treatment of Headaches Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury Effects of auricular acupressure on pain reduction in patient-controlled analgesia after lumbar spine surgery. Reduction in Opioid-Related Adverse Events and Improvement in Function with Parecoxib followed by Valdecoxib Treatment after Non-Cardiac Surgery Auriculotherapy on low back pain in the elderly. Longitudinal changes in the disability level of the elders with low back pain after auriculotherapy. Pain reduction of acupoint electrical stimulation for patients with spinal surgery: a placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE We examined whether auricular acupressure ( AA ) can alleviate postoperative pain and decrease narcotic consumption and its adverse effects for osteoarthritis patients after total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) . DESIGN A prospect i ve , r and omized , sham control trial comparing AA and a sham control . SETTING Department of Orthopedics , the first Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , China . SUBJECTS Ninety patients with degenerative osteoarthritis undergoing TKA . INTERVENTIONS The AA group received true AA by embedding vaccaria seeds at four specific AA points ( knee joint , shenmen , subcortex , sympathesis ) ipsilateral to the surgery site , while the control group received four nonacupuncture points on the auricular helix . OUTCOME MEASURES Visual analog scale ( VAS ) , the consumption of analgesic via patient-controlled analgesia , the incidence of analgesia-related adverse effects , Hospital for Special Surgery scores ( HSS ) , and range of motion ( ROM ) were recorded . RESULTS VAS scores were similar at 12 , 24 , 36 , and 48 h postsurgery ( P > 0.05 ) , but AA group scores were lower than those of the control group at 3 , 4 , 5 , and 7 days ( P < 0.05 ) . Patients in the AA group consumed lower doses of analgesic than those in the control group after surgery ( P < 0.05 ) . The incidence of analgesia-related adverse effects in the AA group was lower than that in the control group ( P < 0.05 ) . Although HSS scores were similar in the two groups preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively ( P > 0.05 ) , HSS scores 2 weeks postoperatively were higher in the AA group than in the control group ( P < 0.05 ) , but there was no difference between groups in ROM ( P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Applying auricular acupoint acupressure in the perioperative period of TKA is favorable for alleviating postoperative pain , decreasing opioid consumption and its adverse effects , and promoting early rehabilitation . Also , this intervention has the advantage of lower costs , fewer complications , simple application , and high safety OBJECTIVE To explore an optimum method on postoperative recovery of general-anesthesia gynecological  laparoscopic surgery . METHODS One hundred and twenty cases of gynecological laparoscopic surgery were r and omly divided into three groups , 40 cases in each one . The sensitive points of bilateral Shenmen ( TF4 ) , Zigong ( TF2 ) , Wei ( CO4 ) , Dachang ( CO7 ) and so on were selected in all three groups one night before the surgery . The sticking with magnetic beads was applied in the group A. The magnetic beads were in-pair stuck at front-back corresponding location of both ears in the group B. The same-appearance plaster was put at the corresponding acupoints in the group C. The intubation anesthesia was applied in all three groups and postoperative recovery of gynecological laparoscopic surgery was observed . RESULTS The postoperative visual analogue scale ( VAS ) was ( 1.77 + /- 1.65 ) in the group A and ( 1.80 + /- 1.96 ) in the group B , which was both lower than ( 2.62 + /- 1.46 ) in the group C ( both P < 0.01 ) . The occurrence rate of nausea and vomiting was 25.0 % ( 9/36 ) in the group A and 20.0 % ( 8/40 ) in the group B , which was both lower than 50.0 % ( 19/38 ) in the group C ( both P < 0.01 ) . The recovery of borborygmus on postoperative 1st and 3rd day in the group A and B was faster than that in the group C ( both P < 0.05 ) , while time of fart and defecation in the group A and B was earlier than that in the group C ( both P < 0.05 ) . The score of state-trait anxiety inventory in the group A and B was lower than that in the group C ( both P < 0.05 ) , but the differences of each item between the group A and B were not obvious ( both P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION The auricular point sticking could support analgesia of general-anesthesia gynecological laparoscopic surgery , which could relieve anxiety mood , reduce occurrence of nausea and vomiting and improve function of stomach and intestine to benefit postoperative recovery . However , the effect of in-pair sticking of auricular point with magnetic beads at front-back acupoints was not obviously strengthened Background . Postoperative pain management remains a significant challenge for all healthcare providers . A r and omized controlled trial was conducted to examine the adjuvant effects of auricular acupressure on relieving postoperative pain and improving the passive range of motion in patients with total knee replacement ( TKR ) . Method . Sixty-two patients who had undergone a TKR were r and omly assigned to the acupressure group and the sham control group . The intervention was delivered three times a day for 3 days . A visual analog scale ( VAS ) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire were used to assess pain intensity . Pain medication consumption was recorded , and the knee motion was measured using a goniometer . Results . The patients experienced a moderately severe level of pain postoperatively ( VAS 58.66 ± 20.35 ) while being on the routine PCA . No differences were found in pain scores between the groups at all points . However , analgesic drug usage in the acupressure group patients was significantly lower than in the sham control group ( P < 0.05 ) , controlling for BMI , age , and pain score . On the 3rd day after surgery , the passive knee motion in the acupressure group patients was significantly better than in the sham control group patients ( P < 0.05 ) , controlling for BMI . Conclusion . The application of auricular acupressure at specific therapeutic points significantly reduces the opioid analgesia requirement and improves the knee motion in patients with TKR Background Uncomplicated chronic rachialgia is a highly prevalent complaint , and one for which therapeutic results are contradictory . The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with auriculopressure , in the primary healthcare sector , carried out by trained healthcare professionals via a 30-hour course . Methods / Design The design consists of a multi-centre r and omized controlled trial , with placebo , with two parallel groups , and including an economic evaluation . Patients with chronic uncomplicated rachialgia , whose GP is considering referral for auriculopressure sensory stimulation , are eligible for inclusion . Sampling will be by consecutive selection , and r and omised allocation to one of the two study arms will be determined using a central ised method , following a 1:1 plan ( true auriculopressure ; placebo auriculopressure ) . The implants ( true and placebo ) will be replaced once weekly , and the treatment will have a duration of 8 weeks . The primary outcome measure will be the change in pain intensity , measured on a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) of 100 mm , at 9 weeks after beginning the treatment . A follow up study will be performed at 6 months after beginning treatment . An assessment will also be made of the changes measured in the Spanish version of the McGill Pain Question naire , of the changes in the Lattinen test , and of the changes in quality of life ( SF-12 ) . Also planned is an analysis of cost-effectiveness and also , if necessary , a cost-benefit analysis . Discussion This study will contribute to developing evidence on the use of auriculotherapy using Semen vaccariae [ wang bu liu xing ] for the treatment of uncomplicated chronic rachialgia . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N01897462 Abstract Background : Headaches are prevalent among Service members with traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) ; 80 % report chronic or recurrent headache . Evidence for nonpharmacologic treatments , such as acupuncture , are needed . Objective : The aim of this research was to determine if two types of acupuncture ( auricular acupuncture [ AA ] and traditional Chinese acupuncture [ TCA ] ) were feasible and more effective than usual care ( UC ) alone for TBI – related headache . Material s and Methods : Design : This was a three-armed , parallel , r and omized exploratory study . Setting : The research took place at three military treatment facilities in the Washington , DC , metropolitan area . Patients : The subjects were previously deployed Service members ( 18–69 years old ) with mild-to-moderate TBI and headaches . Intervention : The interventions explored were UC alone or with the addition of AA or TCA . Outcome Measures : The primary outcome was the Headache Impact Test ( HIT ) . Secondary outcomes were the Numerical Rating Scale ( NRS ) , Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index , Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist , Symptom Checklist-90-R , Medical Outcome Study Quality of Life ( QoL ) , Beck Depression Inventory , State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics , and expectancy of outcome and acupuncture efficacy . Results : Mean HIT scores decreased in the AA and TCA groups but increased slightly in the UC-only group from baseline to week 6 [ AA , −10.2 % ( −6.4 points ) ; TCA , −4.6 % ( −2.9 points ) ; UC , + 0.8 % ( + 0.6 points ) ] . Both acupuncture groups had sizable decreases in NRS ( Pain Best ) , compared to UC ( TCA versus UC : P = 0.0008 , d = 1.70 ; AA versus UC : P = 0.0127 , d = 1.6 ) . No statistically significant results were found for any other secondary outcome measures . Conclusions : Both AA and TCA improved headache-related QoL more than UC did in Service members with TBI OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to examine the adjuvant effects of auricular acupres-sure in augmenting intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine and droperidol for postoperative lumbar surgery patients in terms of postoperative pain relief satisfaction , and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) . METHODS In this single-blind experimental study , 94 subjects were r and omly assigned to the experimental group in which patients received auricular acupressure to six auricular acupoints or a control group without acupressure . Data were collected using the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Question naire . Descriptive analyses , t tests , chi(2 ) tests , Mann-Whitney tests , and the generalized estimating equation model were used . RESULTS The experimental group had lower average pain scores than the control group , but no between-group difference was found . Analgesic dose and satisfaction were similar in both groups . The incidence of PONV was low and similar in both groups . CONCLUSION Although this study did not demonstrate adjuvant effects of auricular acupressure on postoperative pain , analgesic dose , analgesic satisfaction and PONV , most subjects were satisfied with the pain management even though they were subjected to moderate pain because of insufficient analgesia . Further studies should reconfirm the effects of auricular acupressure on analgesia provided by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in postoperative patients , and its influence on the frequency and duration of analgesia administration Abstract Background : Multimodal pain therapy including cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors can result in optimal pain management with decreased opioid use and fewer opioid-related adverse events . Patient reported outcomes ( PROs ) help identify benefits in reduced opioid use and increased pain control . Methods : In this r and omized , double-blind trial , patients ( n=1062 ) undergoing major non-cardiac elective surgery received either parenteral parecoxib for 3 days or placebo then oral valdecoxib or placebo for a total of 10 days , with both arms being allowed additional opioid analgesia . Clinical ly meaningful opioid-related adverse events were assessed daily using the Opioid-Related Symptom Distress Scale ( OR-SDS ) . Pain severity and interference with function were evaluated daily using the modified Brief Pain Inventory exploratory form ( mBPI-e ) . Additional validation work was undertaken to underst and the psychometric properties of the two PROs . Detailed clinical results were reported elsewhere . Results : Patients receiving parecoxib/valdecoxib achieved significantly better pain control and consumed 37 % and 28 % less opioid medication than the placebo group on day 2 and day 3 , respectively . Over the 10-day treatment period , patients receiving parecoxib/valdecoxib consumed 31 % less opioid medication . This coincided with significantly fewer ( p < 0.0001 ) OR-SDS clinical ly meaningful events ( CMEs ) and lower mBPI-e scores from days 2–10 in the parecoxib/valdecoxib group compared with the placebo group . On day 3 , the percentage of patients reporting one , two or three CMEs in the parecoxib/valdecoxib versus placebo group was 11.6 % versus 13.0 % , 2.3 % versus 5.1 % , and 0.8 % versus 2.3 % , respectively . The mean ( ± st and ard error ) mBPI-e pain severity scores over days 2–10 were 2.47 ± 0.04 for the parecoxib/valdecoxib group and 3.01 ±0.04 for the placebo group , and the mean mBPI-e pain interference scores were 1.73±0.04 and 2.19 ± 0.04 , respectively . Conclusions : Patients receiving parecoxib/valdecoxib had less pain interference on physical functioning , required less opioid medication and experienced fewer clinical ly meaningful opioid-related adverse events than patients receiving placebo The objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of auriculotherapy using magnetic pellets for the elderly suffering from low back pain ( LBP ) . Sixty participants who were 60-years old or above and had been suffering from LBP were recruited . Participants were r and omly allocated to receive auriculotherapy on a 3-week basis using either Semen Vaccariae ( control group=30 ) or magnetic pellets ( experimental group=30 ) . Seven auricular acupoints that are believed to have an effect on LBP were selected . Treatment effects were evaluated using the Chinese Pain Intensity Verbal Rating scale ( VRS ) . The experimental group had indeed experienced a significant improvement in pain relief when compared with the control group ; and the therapeutic effects were sustained at 2 and 4-week follow-up periods after the therapy . Findings of this study demonstrated that auriculotherapy using magnetic pellets significantly reduce the pain intensity level of the elderly suffering from non-specific LBP OBJECTIVE To evaluate the longitudinal changes in the disability level of elders with LBP after receiving auriculotherapy .  DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING S Sixty participants who were 60 years old or above and who were suffering from LBP were recruited from five hostels for the elders in Hong Kong . INTERVENTIONS The participants were r and omly allocated to receive a 3-week session of auriculotherapy using either semen vaccariae ( control group=30 ) or magnetic pellets ( experimental group=30 ) . Seven auricular acupoints that are expected to have an effect on LBP were selected . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Assessment data were collected at five points of time : ( i ) baseline , ( ii ) about 1.5 weeks of treatment , ( iii ) 3 weeks of treatment , ( iv ) 2 weeks post-treatment , and ( v ) 4 weeks post-treatment using the modified Aberdeen low back pain disability scale ( Chinese ) . RESULTS When the rate of change was compared between the two groups at each point of time starting from the baseline , those in the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in the overall disability level , pain/sensation , and physical and functional abilities at 1.5 weeks of treatment ( p<0.001 ) , 3 weeks of treatment ( p<0.001 ) , 2 weeks post-treatment ( p<0.001 ) , and 4 weeks post-treatment ( p<0.001 ) . CONCLUSION Longitudinal changes in the improvement of disability level were found among the elders with low back pain after receiving auriculotherapy using magnetic pellets BACKGROUND Acupoint electrical stimulation ( AES ) is commonly used for pain management . However , its true or placebo effect to achieve pain relief needs to be verified . OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to examine the true effect of AES to reduce postoperative pain in patients with spinal surgery receiving patient-controlled analgesia ( PCA ) . METHOD A placebo- and sham-controlled study was conducted . Participants were r and omly assigned to intervention with AES at true acupoints  ( the AES  group , n=30 ) , AES at sham acupoints ( the sham group , n=30 ) , or no intervention with AES ( the control group , n=30 ) . Outcomes were assessed according to the amount of pain experienced and analgesics used . RESULTS There were significant differences among the three groups in pain relief across time , and the occurrence of PCA button pushed and amount of analgesics used . The beneficial effects of AES were discernible when compared to the sham and the control . CONCLUSIONS AES at the true acupoints effectively reduced postoperative pain and analgesic usage . AES has now been implemented into healthcare and it is recommended that nurses be provided with the opportunity to earn their AES skills . More studies evaluating the effects of AES over a longer period and on pain after different surgical procedures are suggested
Objective To identify the effectiveness of auricular acupressure ( AA ) in patients with acute postoperative pain after surgery by systematic review .