Efficacy of Auricular Point Acupressure in Elderly Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Overview
This randomized controlled trial evaluated auricular point acupressure (APA) in older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Both targeted (T-APA) and nontargeted (NT-APA) APA significantly improved pain and function compared to education control, with effects sustained at 6 months.
Background
Chronic low back pain is a prevalent and disabling condition among older adults, with limited effective treatment options. Pharmacologic therapies carry risks and contribute to the opioid crisis, while nonpharmacologic treatments are recommended but underutilized. Auricular point acupressure (APA), a noninvasive form of auriculotherapy stimulating ear points with pellets, offers a potentially accessible complementary therapy. Prior studies suggested APA may relieve pain, but adequately powered trials in older adults were lacking.
1.89 points postintervention (P = .04); significant at 6 months
6 months
NT-APA
91
Similar to T-APA
2.68 points postintervention (P = .004); significant at 6 months
6 months
Education Control
89
Reference
Reference
6 months
Key Findings
Both targeted and nontargeted APA groups showed significant pain reduction compared to education control immediately postintervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Functional improvements were significant postintervention in both APA groups, minimal at 1 month, but sustained at 6 months.
No statistically significant differences were found between targeted and nontargeted APA groups in pain or function outcomes.
APA groups had higher responder rates for pain and function with odds ratios ranging from 2.11 to 6.32 compared to control.
APA treatment effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up, indicating durability of benefit.
Clinical Implications
Auricular point acupressure is an effective, nonpharmacologic treatment option for older adults with chronic low back pain, providing sustained improvements in pain and function. Given its noninvasive nature and ease of administration, APA can be recommended as a complementary therapy to reduce reliance on medications and address barriers to acupuncture access.
Conclusion
This adequately powered RCT demonstrates that APA significantly improves pain and function in elderly patients with chronic low back pain, with benefits sustained up to six months. APA represents a promising integrative medicine approach for managing cLBP in older adults.
by Jennifer Kawi, Chao Hsing Yeh, Nada Lukkahatai, Hulin Wu, Natalia E Morone, Ronald Glick, Elizabeth A Schlenk, Claudia Campbell, Johannes Thrul, Xinran Huang, Hongyu Wang, Hejingzi Monica Jia, Paul Christo, Constance Johnson
