Auricular Acupressure in Prehabilitation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · Jul 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of auricular acupressure, a complementary therapy similar to acupuncture, on patients who are preparing for major lung surgery. The goal is to see if this treatment can help improve patients' appetite, energy levels, sleep quality, and reduce anxiety and pain before their surgery. This trial is currently looking for participants who are at least 50 years old, able to understand English, and have not scheduled their surgery yet. They should also have an adult caregiver who can assist with the treatment and have access to a smartphone for communication.

Participants in the trial will learn how to use small seeds placed in their ears to provide acupressure, which is thought to help with their recovery process. To join, candidates must not have any allergies to the seeds or medical conditions that would prevent them from using this method. This study is a great opportunity for patients facing lung surgery to potentially enhance their overall health and well-being before the procedure.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • 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 Criteria:
• • Allergy to Vaccaria seeds
• • Medical condition affecting either ear preventing use of auricular acupressure such as eczema, frostbite, sunburn