Effects of auricular acupressure on pain and disability in adults with chronic neck pain.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of auricular acupressure (AA) on pain, pain threshold (PT), disability, and cervical range of motion in adults with chronic neck pain.

BACKGROUND: About 30-50% of the world's population suffers from chronic neck pain, and the cost of treatment is increasing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind, randomized sham-controlled study was conducted on 48 adults with chronic neck pain in South Korea. The experimental group (n = 25) received AA on specific acupoints for neck pain, whereas the control group (n = 23) received AA on unspecific acupoints. Participants received 4 weeks of auricular-acupressure intervention. Outcomes were assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS), PT, neck-disability index (NDI), and cervical range of motion. Measurements were taken 3 times: before intervention, 2 weeks into the intervention, and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Statistical differences between the two groups emerged in PT (p = .003), the NDI (p = .033), cervical flexion (p = .004), and left rotation (p = .004), but not on the VAS.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that AA leads to improvements on PT, neck disability, and cervical range of motion. Therefore, AA can be used as an alternative nursing intervention for chronic neck pain.