Auricular Point Acupressure for Pain Management
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether auricular point acupressure (APA) can help reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults age 50 and older who are living with HIV. The study will also examine whether APA is feasible, acceptable, and safe for this population. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does APA reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain and improve sleep and quality of life? Is APA feasible, acceptable, and safe for older people living with HIV?
Researchers will compare true APA, in which small seeds are taped to specific ear points related to pain, with sham APA, in which seeds are taped to ear points not related to pain. The intervention will last 4 weeks.
Participants will:
Receive true APA or sham APA for 4 weeks Visit the study site weekly for placement of the ear seeds Press the ear seeds for 3 minutes, 3 times each day Complete daily surveys about pain and pain medication use Use a sleep monitor to track sleep Complete study assessments at the beginning and end of the intervention Complete an exit interview about their experience with APA
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults age 50 and older who are living with HIV and have chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants should be able to visit the study site weekly and follow instructions for using ear seeds.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Auricular Point Acupressure
Trial Overview
The study compares auricular point acupressure (APA), where small seeds are taped to specific points on the ear, with a sham version where seeds are placed on unrelated points. The intervention lasts 4 weeks, with daily self-pressing of the seeds.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Participants randomized to the true APA arm will receive a 4-week auricular point acupressure intervention targeting designated ear acupoints for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Participants randomized to the sham APA arm will receive a 4-week sham auricular point acupressure intervention using ear points not associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Dan Song
Lead Sponsor
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.