Does ear acupuncture relieve pain and anxiety in emergency department patients?
Does ear acupuncture relieve pain and anxiety in Emergency Department patients with hip and wrist injuries
Dr Kim Yates
138 participants
Dec 24, 2008
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
Pain and anxiety are a common problem in patients presenting to emergency centres with wrist and hip injuries. Previous studies overseas have shown that ear acupuncture has the potential to help decrease pain and anxiety in these patients. Our study aims to see if ear acupuncture given in conjunction with normal pain relief, gives greater benefit than pain relief alone.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Adults presenting to Emergency Medicine at either North Shore or Waitakere Hospital Emergency Care Centre with painful suspected hip fracture or lower arm injury.
Exclusion Criteria6
- Triage category 1
- Inability to give informed consent
- Bleeding disorder, coagulopathy or taking warfarin
- Ipsilateral ear injury or skin infection
- Known sticking plaster allergy
- Staff feel patient too unwell to participate
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Interventions
Group 1 Ear Acupuncture: insertion of Vinco press needles into 2 predefined auricular acupuncture points on ear ipsilateral to site of injury upon presentation to emergency care centre. These points have been traditionally used to treat pain and anxiety.Ear is then covered with an opaque bandage and needles are left in for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12610000104055