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Auriculotherapy for pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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Date
2010-10
Authors
Asher, Gary N
Jonas, Daniel E
Coeytaux, Remy R
Reilly, Aimee C
Loh, Yen L
Motsinger-Reif, Alison A
Winham, Stacey J
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Side-effects of standard pain medications can limit their use. Therefore, nonpharmacologic pain relief techniques such as auriculotherapy may play an important role in pain management. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating auriculotherapy for pain management. DESIGN: MEDLINE,(®) ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, AMED, and Cochrane Library were searched through December 2008. Randomized trials comparing auriculotherapy to sham, placebo, or standard-of-care control were included that measured outcomes of pain or medication use and were published in English. Two (2) reviewers independently assessed trial eligibility, quality, and abstracted data to a standardized form. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for studies using a pain score or analgesic requirement as a primary outcome. RESULTS: Seventeen (17) studies met inclusion criteria (8 perioperative, 4 acute, and 5 chronic pain). Auriculotherapy was superior to controls for studies evaluating pain intensity (SMD, 1.56 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85, 2.26]; 8 studies). For perioperative pain, auriculotherapy reduced analgesic use (SMD, 0.54 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.77]; 5 studies). For acute pain and chronic pain, auriculotherapy reduced pain intensity (SMD for acute pain, 1.35 [95% CI: 0.08, 2.64], 2 studies; SMD for chronic pain, 1.84 [95% CI: 0.60, 3.07], 5 studies). Removal of poor quality studies did not alter the conclusions. Significant heterogeneity existed among studies of acute and chronic pain, but not perioperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: Auriculotherapy may be effective for the treatment of a variety of types of pain, especially postoperative pain. However, a more accurate estimate of the effect will require further large, well-designed trials.
Type
Journal article
Subject
Acupuncture, Ear
Analgesia
Humans
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
Perioperative Period
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3234
Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1089/acm.2009.0451
Publication Info
Asher, Gary N; Jonas, Daniel E; Coeytaux, Remy R; Reilly, Aimee C; Loh, Yen L; Motsinger-Reif, Alison A; & Winham, Stacey J (2010). Auriculotherapy for pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med, 16(10). pp. 1097-1108. 10.1089/acm.2009.0451. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3234.
This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Scholars@Duke

Coeytaux

Remy Rene Coeytaux

Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
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