Auricular Acupressure in Prehabilitation
A Pilot Study of the Utility of Auricular Acupressure in Enhancing Prehabilitation Benefits in Candidates for Thoracic Surgery.
University of Chicago
40 participants
Jul 21, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Complementary medicine is recognized for its ability to enhance appetite, increase energy, reduce anxiety, decrease pain, and improve sleep, among many other benefits. Acupuncture is among the most frequent types of complementary medicine practiced in the US, and Medicare currently includes back pain as a reimbursable indication for this therapy. Acupuncture-related therapies may enhance efforts at prehabilitation in candidates for major lung resection.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria10
- Being considered for major lung surgery
- Surgery is not scheduled for at least 2 weeks
- Age ≥ 50 years
- Able to understand English at a 4th grade level
- No known contraindications to prehabilitation (strength, endurance, balance exercises)
- Able to provide informed consent for participation
- Has an adult care partner who will be available and capable of placing seeds
- Has access to smart phone for communication and image sharing
- Underwent frailty screening (given any score)
- Able to perform spirometry testing in clinic
Exclusion Criteria2
- Allergy to Vaccaria seeds
- Medical condition affecting either ear preventing use of auricular acupressure such as eczema, frostbite, sunburn
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
Seeds will be placed during the clinic visit by the acupuncturist or the research associate according to the group the patient was assigned to. The care partner will observe the placement. A photograph of the seed placement will be taken and given to the care partner and to the patient after the relevant points are labeled by number or letter. The method of pressing is demonstrated for 1 one of the seeds, the care partner practices pressing on 2 other seeds, and the patient practices pressing on the remaining 2 seeds. Pressing consists of applying pressure, gradually increasing the pressure until the patient expresses discomfort, and maintaining that pressure until 2 minutes have passed. After pressing has been performed for each seed, the seeds are removed in clinic prior to clinic discharge.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06516198