Exploring the Feasibility of Virtually Delivered Auricular Point Acupressure in Self-Managing Chronic Pain: Qualitative Study

Authors

Jennifer Kawi, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Chao Hsing Yeh, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Nada Lukkahatai, Johns Hopkins University
Robin L. Hardwicke, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Thomas Murphy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Paul J. Christo, Johns Hopkins University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-29-2022

Publication Title

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

First page number:

1

Last page number:

11

Abstract

Background. Chronic pain remains highly prevalent. Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have not adequately managed chronic pain which has contributed to disability and high healthcare costs. With existing challenges in providing adequate pain care and access, we tested vAPA, a virtually delivered, self-management intervention using Auricular Point Acupressure (APA) by mobile app and virtual consultations (telehealth). Our key purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of the vAPA in self-managing chronic pain in preparation for a future randomized controlled trial. Methods. We conducted a descriptive, qualitative study evaluating our 4-week vAPA intervention among 18 participants. We used directed qualitative content analysis. Results and Conclusion. Participants perceived that vAPA was feasible (acceptable, useable, practical, and beneficial). In addition, the following themes were gathered: better control of pain, less use of pain medications, self-management and motivation in pain, and expectations for pain relief. Refinements were recommended for the app, content, and delivery to improve study interventions. Findings are relevant in moving forward to a future randomized controlled trial and for wider implementation in a pragmatic clinical trial.

Controlled Subject

Chronic pain; Acupressure; Medical telematics

Disciplines

Nursing

File Format

PDF

File Size

508 KB

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Repository Citation

Kawi, J., Yeh, C. H., Lukkahatai, N., Hardwicke, R. L., Murphy, T., Christo, P. J. (2022). Exploring the Feasibility of Virtually Delivered Auricular Point Acupressure in Self-Managing Chronic Pain: Qualitative Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 1-11.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8079691