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The Following is a summary of “auricular point acpressure for Older adults with chronic low back pai: a randomized controlled trial,” published in the March 2025 ISSUE OF Pain Medicine by Kawi et al.
Researchers Drived the Retrospective Study to Assess the Effficacy of Auricular Point Acpressure (APA) In Older Adults (OAS) with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP).
They Randomized Participants (≥60 years) with clbp in a 1: 1: 1 ratio to targeted auricular point acpressure (t-apa, n = 92), non-targeted ap (nt-apa, n = 91), or a waitlist education control (n = 89), with follow-up at 6 months (6m). The APA Groups Received 4 Weekly Ap Sessions, While the Control Group Attended 4 Weekly Educational Sessions. Primary Outcomes Included Pain and Function.
The Results Showed That Among 272 Participants (174 Women (64%); Mean (SD) AGE 70.0 (6.95) Years; 62% Non-White), The T-APA Had Significant Pain Reduction from Baseline to Post-Intern and 1m Follow-up by 1.73 and 1.26 points (P ≤0.001), respective. The NT-APA Group Achieveed similar pain improvements. FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT WAS SIGNENT AT POST-INTERVENTION FOR BOTH T-APA AND NT-APA GROUPS BY 1.89 (P = 0.04) and 2.68 points (P = 0.004), respectively, minimal at 1m follow-up, but significant at 6m. At the Statistical Differencies Were Observed Between the APA Groups. BOTH APA GROUPS HAD HIGHER ANSWER RATES FOR PAIN AND FUNCTION AT POST-INTERVENTION AND 1M FOLLOW-UP COMPARED TO THE CONTROL GROUP (Odds Ratio Ranged from 2.11 TO 6.32), WITH SUSTAINED EFFECTS AT 6M FOLLOW-UP.
Investigators Concluded that apa treatments significantly improved pain and function compredo to control, with effects sustained at 6 months, and should be recommends a nonpharmacologic therapy for oas withcl.
Source: academic.oup.com/painmedicine/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pm/pnaf035/8098058
