Auricular Point Research Articles

Effects of Multi-Mechanism Complementary Therapy on Pain and Anxiety During Labor Latency in Primiparous Women.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of single and mixed complementary therapies, with different analgesic mechanisms, in relieving pain and anxiety during the late labor period. Design and method: In this study, 145 primiparous women with 2-3 cm dilation of the cervix were randomly assigned to one of five groups: control group (psychological comfort), comprehensive group, aroma group, auricular acupuncture group, and music group. The groups were distributed equally (1:1:1:1 ratio), and pain and anxiety scores were assessed at 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-intervention in each group. Outcomes and measures: Compared to the control group, all intervention groups showed lower pain scores. The comprehensive group had the largest reduction in pain scores at 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-intervention. The auricular point, aroma, and music groups also demonstrated significant reductions in pain scores at different time points. Only the comprehensive group had a statistically significant reduction in anxiety at 30 minutes post-intervention compared to the control group. However, at 60 and 120 minutes post-intervention, all intervention groups showed lower anxiety scores compared to the control group. Conclusion: The optimal effects of each therapy varied in terms of timing and duration. Combination therapy showed a greater effect size than single complementary therapy.

Study of the Anatomical Variations of Spinal Accessory Nerve Seen During Neck Dissection.

In our study, thirty one neck dissections in thirty patients were performed as a part of their treatment for head and neck cancers over a period of one year. In this study, we aimed to report anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) encountered during neck dissection with respect to important reference points and structures in the neck and correlate them with the length of the neck and height of patient. We preserved SAN in all the neck dissections and studied its course and branching in relation to internal jugular vein (IJV), sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, greater auricular point (GAP), mastoid process, clavicle, angle of mandible, length of the neck and height of the patient. In 67.7% patients, the SAN was ventral to the IJV at the level of posterior belly of digastric muscle and in 32.3%, it was dorsal to the vein. In all the cases, SAN was found cephalic to the GAP at the posterior border of the SCM musclewith a mean distance of 1.72 ± 0.54cm (range 0.90-3.06cm). The distance between the tip of mastoid process and the point of emergence of the SAN from the posterior border of SCM (Exit Point length) was found to be nearly constant with a mean of 6.35 ± 0.63cm (range 5.03-8.13cm). We also found that there is a positive correlation between various parameters and the length of the neck and height of patients. Distance of exit point of SAN from the clavicle, however, is least helpful. We infer that the GAP is one of the most reliable landmarks for the localization of the SAN, followed by distance of exit point from mastoid process and angle of mandible. Also, surgeon should be aware of the variations regarding relationship to internal jugular vein and branching pattern of the nerve. The exit point should be sought for relatively inferiorly in longer necks and taller patients. SAN has great variations and thorough knowledge of these helps to prevent debilitating sequelae and medicolegal repercussions of shoulder syndrome.

Different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies for mild cognitive impairment: a network meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to determine the optimal approach. This study aims to provide insights into the treatment of MCI patients for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical decision-making. Materials and methodsRCT studies were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WANFANG, VIP, and SinoMed. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias for eligible trials. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using R4.2.3 software. ResultsA total of 46 RCTs with 3641 participants were included. The network meta-analysis showed that acupoint pressing + cognitive training + auricular point sticking, massage + western medicine treatment, and electroacupuncture + western medicine treatment ranked first, second, and third in improving MMSE score, respectively. Acupoint pressing + cognitive training, cognitive training + scalp acupuncture, and cognitive training + moxibustion ranked first, second, and third in improving MoCA score, respectively. ConclusionThis study showed that acupoint pressing alone or acupoint pressing + auricular point sticking may improve cognitive function in MCI patients and possibly be the most effective acupuncture interventions for the treatment of MCI.

Acupoint selection standards of auricular therapy in the treatment of maintenance hemodialysis insomnia based on data mining

Background: Insomnia is a high-incidence complication in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Auricular therapy can effectively improve sleep with few adverse effects. Acupoint selection affects the impact of auricular therapy. However, there is currently a lack of analysis on the standards of acupoint selection. Our study used data mining technology to investigate the acupoint selection principles and characteristics of auricular therapy for the treatment of MHD-related insomnia. Objective: The objective of the study is to explore the standards of acupoint selection in auricular therapy for the treatment of MHD-related insomnia through data mining technology. Materials and Methods: We searched three English (PubMed, WOS, and Embase) and four Chinese (CNKI, VIP, Wangfang, and CBM) databases for studies on auricular therapy for MHD-related insomnia from self-establishment to November 14, 2022. Results: Eighty-one publications were involved, which included 33 acupoints. The most common auricular points in patients with MHD-related insomnia were the Shenmen, heart, and kidney points. More applications involved the visceral, nervous system, and specific acupoints. Five effective clusters and two clusters were obtained through cluster analysis, including specific auricular points for insomnia, such as the multi-dream area, neurasthenia area, deep sleep point, and anterior ear lobe. Complex network analysis showed that the core auricular acupoint combinations for the intervention of MHD-related insomnia were Shenmen with kidney, Shenmen with heart, heart with kidney, heart with Shenmen, and heart and Shenmen with subcortex. Conclusions: The selection of auricular points for the treatment of MHD-related insomnia was guided by the heart theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Clinical treatment attaches importance to the use of the multi-dream area, neurasthenia area, and other acupoints.

ELABORAÇÃO E VALIDAÇÃO DE UM PROTOCOLO DE PONTOS DE ACUPUNTURA AURICULAR PARA CEFALEIA

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and validate the content of an auricular acupuncture point protocol for the treatment of headaches. Method: A methodological study, carried out in June 2023 in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was structured in three stages: Planning (bibliographic survey and identification of the study variables); Construction of the instruments (characterization of the experts, point protocol and treatment regime); and Content validation in charge of 15 experts. In the data analysis, an absolute agreement percentage equal to or greater than 80% was used. Results: The auricular acupuncture protocol for the treatment of headaches that was validated by experts consisted of the following points: “Door of the Mind” (93.3%), Kidney (86.7%), Sympathetic (86.7%), Anxiety (86.7%), Subcortex (86.7%), Brainstem (86.7%), Frontal (86.7%), Occipital (86.7%), Temporal (86.7%) and Liver (80%). Conclusion: the auricular acupuncture protocol for the treatment of headaches was considered valid, which will allow its use in the clinical practice and research studies.

Progress in the Application of Auricular Point Therapy in the Treatment of Senile Constipation

Progress in the Application of Auricular Point Therapy in the Treatment of Senile Constipation

A randomized controlled study of auricular point acupressure to manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: Study protocol.

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) significantly impacts cancer patients, leading to functional disability, diminished quality of life, and increased healthcare costs amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Auricular point acupressure (APA), a non-invasive and non-pharmacological alternative, has shown potential for alleviating the pain, numbness, and tingling associated with CIN. This study aims to assess the efficacy of APA for CIN symptoms and physical function and to examine the mechanisms underlying APA's effects on CIN. This is a three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial protocol. Patients aged 18 and older who are experiencing CIN are randomly assigned to one of the three groups: an APA group (in-person APA; mAPA), a sham control group (virtual APA; vAPA), and a wait-list usual care control group (UC). During the four-week program, participants in the mAPA receive an in-person APA treatment and training; the sham control participants (vAPA) receive a self-guided smartphone APA application with APA demonstration videos; and the UC participants will continue with the usual care and be re-randomized into one of the APA groups. The primary outcomes are changes in CIN symptoms and physical function. Secondary outcomes include evaluating pain sensory thresholds, motor and cognitive functioning, inflammatory signaling, brain connectivity, opioid use, and quality of life. The outcomes are measured at baseline, program completion (4 weeks), and at monthly follow-up for 3 months post-intervention. This study will provide evidence supporting the potential viability of APA as an intervention for CIN. ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04920097 registered on 3 June 2021.

Effects of auricular point sticking on labor pain and anxiety

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of auricular point sticking on pain and anxiety during the latent period of the first stage of labor in primiparas.MethodsPrimiparas meeting eligibility criteria were recruited. The participants were randomized into an auricular point group, a placebo group, and a control group. The control group received daily care. The auricular point group received 120 min of auricular point sticking therapy. The placebo group received the same auricular plasters as the auricular point group but without pressing. Participants’ pain, anxiety, and uterine contractions were measured at enrollment and 30, 60, and 120 min of interventions.ResultsData from 78 participants were analyzed in this study. After uterine contraction was adjusted as a covariate, there was no significant difference among groups in the baseline anxiety, baseline pain, and anxiety at 30-min intervention (P>0.05), and no significant difference between the placebo group and the control group in each indicator at each time point (P>0.05). The anxiety scores of the auricular point group at 60 min and 120 min were lower than those of the placebo group and the control group (P<0.05). The pain in the auricular point group was less than that in the placebo group and the control group at 30, 60, and 120 min of interventions (P<0.05).ConclusionAuricular point sticking therapy can relieve anxiety and pain in women during the latent period of labor. Moreover, the effect is fast-acting. It can be used as a safe and effective complementary therapy.

The Effects of Auricular Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of auricular therapy on alleviating indicators of disease status in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases using relevant search terms. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the Risk of Bias tool for non-randomized studies of interventions. Results: Ten studies were included for the systematic review. Most of the studies were conducted in Asia, and randomized controlled trials were primarily chosen as the study design. The auricular therapy points most commonly used were related to the pancreas, which is associated with diabetes. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model to analyze glycated hemoglobin showed a Hedges' g value of -0.11 (95% CI: -0.53 to 0.32, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.623), which was not statistically significant. However, the standardized mean difference for fasting blood sugar was -0.97 (95% CI=-1.22 to -0.72, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001), indicating a large and statistically significant effect size. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that auricular therapy may have an impact on fasting blood sugar levels. However, the studies used in this analysis were limited and some publication bias was identified, requiring further research to determine the broader implications and effectiveness of auricular therapy

Efficacy of Auricular Point Acupressure with Magnetic Plates on Postpartum Anxiety and Depression in Low Risk Parturient at Thammasat University Hospital: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial

Objective: To study the effectiveness of auricular acupressure (AC) with and without magnetic plates in reducing anxiety and depression levels among parturients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand, between March 2022 and February 2023. All participants were term nulliparous pregnant women delivered who during the study period. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups with control for non-AC, study for AC with magnetic plates, and placebo for AC with non-magnetic plates. Three specific auricular points, namely Shenmen (HT7), Heart (CO15), and Subcortex (AT4) were selected. Thai Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Thai HADS) was evaluated at 2, 14, 28, and 42 days postpartum. Results: Two hundred twenty-five cases were recruited and divided evenly into control, study, and placebo groups. The mean age of participants was 28.5 years old. Body mass index (BMI), education level, and demographic characteristics among the three groups were comparable. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 4.4% (10/225) and 7.5% (17/225). Participants in placebo and study groups had statistically significant relief of anxiety levels within six weeks when compared to the control group. All subjects had lower depression scores within four weeks of delivery. AC with and without magnetic plates reduced postpartum depression compared to the control group. Satisfaction of AC was reported at 84% (126/150). Conclusion: AC with or without magnetic plates at HT7, CO15, and AT4 significantly reduced anxiety and decreased depression with less confidence in postpartum subjects. Keywords: Auricular acupressure; Anxiety; Depression; Postpartum; Magnetic plates

Auricular point acupressure in patients with chronic low back pain: A literature study

&lt;div class="WordSection1"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Background: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Chronic low back pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or more and is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with high medical costs, decreased productivity, and disability. The use of analgesics with nonsteroidal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids is one of the most common strategies to manage CLBP, but is not free from various adverse side effects. The use of other effective interventions to control pain including non-opioid medications, topical treatments, physical modalities, and complementary and alternative therapies is needed to reduce the side effects resulting from the use of pharmacological therapies. Auricular Point Acupressure is one of the complementary strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is widely used clinically to treat pain. APA may be useful for acute or chronic pain, either alone or in combination with other treatments.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Objectives: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;To analyze the effectiveness of Auricular Point Acupressure for chronic low back pain.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Methods: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Literature review through online databases namely: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Scopus on articles with free full-text criteria, using Indonesian or English, publication in the last 10 years (2013-2022), and research designs of clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta- analysis. The article search used the keywords (low back pain OR low back pain OR back pain) AND (auriculotherapy OR auricular therapy OR auricular acupressure OR ear acupressure) AND (pain OR disability).&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Results: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;50 articles were found with 5 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Of the five articles, the majority explained that the use of Auricular Acupressure is relatively safe and effective for reducing chronic low back pain, some articles showed a decrease in disability rates and improved sleep quality.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Auricular Point Acupressure can be considered a relatively safe and effective complementary therapy fopr reducing chronic low back pain.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Comparison and Efficacy of Auricular Point Acupressure with Auricular Patches on Lactation in Nulliparous Postpartum Cesarean Delivery Parturients at Thammasat University Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the lactation enhancing effect of auricular acupressure with or without a magnetic plate on post-cesarean nulliparous parturients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the obstetrics ward of Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand between February and July 2022. Participants were term nulliparous pregnant women aged between 20 and 40 years old who underwent cesarean delivery. They were allocated into three groups, namely magnetic (M), non-magnetic (NM), and control groups. The standard care plan for post-cesarean cases was applied to all patients. Participants in both M and NM groups were assigned to receive auricular acupressure using auricular patches with and without magnetic plates, respectively. The ear pinna has five specific auricular points, namely chest (AH10), endocrine (CO18), stomach or Wei (CO4), spleen or Pi (CO13), and sympathetic points (AH6a). The treatment began immediately after counseling and continued for seven days. The onset of the first lactation, lactation visual assessment (LVA) level was collected using the survey form. Exclusive breastfeeding was encouraged at a rate of every three hours to meet newborn demands. The onset of lactation was assessed within three hours after auricular acupressure and every time before breastfeeding. Results: Seventy-five pregnant women were recruited and allocated with 25 cases per group. Mean maternal age was 30 years. The demographic characteristics of the three groups were comparable. There were more participants in the M group had onset of lactation within 24 hours, than in the control group significantly, at 20 versus 13, respectively (p=0.039). Onset of LVA level 1, 2, and 4 in the three groups were comparable. The onset of LVA level 3 in the M group was significantly faster than the control group (p=0.023). Satisfactory lactation and auricular acupressure among M and NM groups were comparable. Conclusion: Auricular acupressure with magnetic plates significantly enhanced lactation onset and lactation visual volume (level 3) in postcesarean nulliparous parturients. It merits consideration to be included in routine practice. Keywords: Cesarean delivery; Postpartum lactation; Auricular acupressure

Spinal accessory nerve anatomy in the posterior cervical triangle: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the anatomy of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) in the posterior cervical triangle, especially in relation to adjacent anatomical landmarks, along with a systematic review of the current literature with a meta-analysis of the data. Overall, 22 cadaveric and three prospective intraoperative studies, with a total of 1346 heminecks, were included in the analysis. The major landmarks relevant to the entry of the SAN at the posterior border of the SCM muscle (PBSCM) were found to be the mastoid apex, the great auricular point (GAP), the nerve point (NP), and the point where the PBSCM meets the upper border of the clavicle. The SAN was reported to enter the posterior cervical triangle above GAP in 100% of cases and above NP in most cases (97.5%). The mean length of the SAN along its course from the entry point to its exit point from the posterior triangle of the neck was 4.07 ± 1.13 cm. The SAN mainly gave off 1 or 2 branches (32.5% and 31%, respectively) and received either no branches or one branch in most cases (58% and 23%, respectively) from the cervical plexus during its course in the posterior cervical triangle. The major landmarks relevant to the entry of the SAN at the anterior border of the TPZ muscle (ABTPZ) were found to be the point where the ABTPZ meets the upper border of the clavicle and the midpoint of the clavicle, along with the mastoid apex, the acromion, and the transverse distance of the SAN exit point to the PBSCM. The results of the present meta-analysis will be helpful to surgeons operating in the posterior cervical triangle, aiding the avoidance of the iatrogenic injury of the SAN.

Professor FU Wen-bin's experience in treating "five delays and five weaknesses" in children with yang-oriented approach.

Professor FU Wen-bin, based on the concept of the "yang-oriented approach", identifies "yang deficiency with excess yin" as the underlying pathological mechanism of "five delays and five weaknesses" in children. He recommends a treatment model that included acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitation, integrating various therapeutic methods of acupuncture, refined moxibustion, and auricular point sticking. Specific acupoints along the conception vessel, governor vessel, and bladder meridian, as well as related acupoints with tonifying effects on spleen and kidney, are selected to achieve the therapeutic goal of "promoting yang and nourishing yang simultaneously".

Exploration of acupuncture treatment for insomnia induced by mental retardation: based on "trinity theory of shaoyang, sanjiao and haishi"

Insomnia induced by mental retardation is related to the synergistic dysfunction of "shaoyang, sanjiao and haishi (the period of the day from 9 pm to 11 pm) " in pathogenesis. Based on "trinity theory of shaoyang, sanjiao and haishi ", the acupoints of hand and food shaoyang meridians on the head and face (Fengchi [GB 20], Sizhukong [TE 23] and Jiaosun [TE 20]) and those on the four limbs (Sanyangluo [TE 8], Zhongzhu [TE 3], Qiuxu [GB 40] and Xiaxi [GB 43]) are selected to regulate the pivot function of shaoyang. Front-mu and back-shu points (Sanjiaoshu [BL 22], Danzhong [CV 17] and Tianshu [ST 5]), as well as auricular points (Gan [CO12], Dan [CO11] and Sanjiao [CO17]) are chosen to promote qi circulation of shaoyang and sanjiao meridians. In association with the relevant knowledge of time acupuncture at haishi, the circadian rhythm of sleep is set up and the appropriate sleep pattern is developed.

Retracted: Auricular Point Pressing Beans + Continuous Intervention on β2-MG, Curative Effect, and Relationship with Prognosis in Elderly MHD Sufferers.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/4166420.].

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture-point stimulation combined with opioids for the treatment of moderate to severe cancer pain: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Pain is one of the most common and troublesome symptoms of cancer. Although potential positive effects of acupuncture-point stimulation (APS) on cancer pain have been observed, knowledge regarding the selection of the optimal APS remains unclear because of a lack of evidence from head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This study aimed to carry out a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of different APS combined with opioids in treating moderate to severe cancer pain and rank these methods for practical consideration. A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases was conducted to obtain RCTs involving different APS combined with opioids for moderate to severe cancer pain. Data were screened and extracted independently using predesigned forms. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. The primary outcome was the total pain relief rate. Secondary outcomes were the total incidence of adverse reactions, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and the incidence of constipation. We applied a frequentist, fixed-effect network meta-analysis model to pool effect sizes across trials using rate ratios (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Network meta-analysis was performed using Stata/SE 16.0. We included 48 RCTs, which consisted of 4,026 patients, and investigated nine interventions. A network meta-analysis showed that a combination of APS and opioids was superior in relieving moderate to severe cancer pain and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation compared to opioids alone. The ranking of total pain relief rates was as follows: fire needle (surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 91.1%), body acupuncture (SUCRA = 85.0%), point embedding (SUCRA = 67.7%), auricular acupuncture (SUCRA = 53.8%), moxibustion (SUCRA = 41.9%), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) (SUCRA = 39.0%), electroacupuncture (SUCRA = 37.4%), and wrist-ankle acupuncture (SUCRA = 34.1%). The ranking of total incidence of adverse reactions was as follows: auricular acupuncture (SUCRA = 23.3%), electroacupuncture (SUCRA = 25.1%), fire needle (SUCRA = 27.2%), point embedding (SUCRA = 42.6%), moxibustion (SUCRA = 48.2%), body acupuncture (SUCRA = 49.8%), wrist-ankle acupuncture (SUCRA = 57.8%), TEAS (SUCRA = 76.3%), and opioids alone (SUCRA = 99.7%). APS seemed to be effective in relieving cancer pain and reducing opioid-related adverse reactions. Fire needle combined with opioids may be a promising intervention to reduce moderate to severe cancer pain as well as reduce opioid-related adverse reactions. However, the evidence was not conclusive. More high-quality trials investigating the stability of evidence levels of different interventions on cancer pain must be conducted. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#searchadvanced, identifier CRD42022362054.

Evaluation of visual perceptual training-assisted far-infrared nanomaterial-based eye relaxation system combined with chinese medicine therapy to control myopia in adolescents

This study investigated the efficacy of the far-infrared eye relaxation system assisted visual perceptual training (VPT) combined with auricular point sticking (APS) in myopia. Fifty-two adolescent myopic patients were randomly divided into the comprehensive intervention and control groups. The control group received optometry therapy, whereas the comprehensive treatment group received VPT combined with APS and supplemented with an eye relaxation system. The zinc oxide and silica nanoparticles used in the eye relaxation system could maintain good stability in acid and alkali, and had a considerable bactericidal effect. After treatment, patients in the comprehensive intervention group showed significant improvements in ocular accommodation, visual acuity, and diopter. Furthermore, the growth rate of the axial length and intraocular pressure were significantly controlled, while lens thickness decreased and eye fatigue improved. Thus, the combination of VPT and APS shows great potential in the myopia therapy.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Hip Flexibility and Pain in Taekwondo Participants: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundIn sports, hip flexibility is essential to reduce injuries and improve performance. AimThis study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on hip flexibility and pain in Taekwondo participants. MethodThis randomized controlled trial was performed in the Republic of Korea from January 2021 to August 2021. The Numeric Rating Scale for Pain and Hip Flexibility was used. Twenty-one participants received auricular pressure once weekly for six weeks, while 17 participants did not receive any intervention. Auricular acupressure was applied to the hip (AH13), Shinmun, and auricular acupressure points associated with the pain areas reported by the participants. ResultsAuricular acupressure improved hip flexibility (t = 2.67, p = .011) and back pain (t = 2.11, p = .043). The mean difference in post-pretest hip flexibility in the experimental group was 16.24 degrees (±13.63), whereas that in the control group was 4.77 degrees (±15.07). The mean difference in the experimental group's pre-post-test scores of back pain was 1.24 (±2.64), whereas that in the control group was 0.18 (±1.41). ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that auricular acupressure could be used to treat pain and improve hip flexibility.

Clinical study of auricular point pressing bean combined with tropisetron in the treatment of chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal reactions.

Clinical study of auricular point pressing bean combined with tropisetron in the treatment of chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal reactions.