Pilot Evaluation of Auricular Acupressure in End-Stage Lung Cancer Patients

Dyspnea is a common symptom in end-stage lung cancer patients and is only infrequently controlled. Currently, the use of complimentary therapies using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including auricular application of Vaccaria segetalis (a small seed), is understudied. Acupressure using auricular Vaccaria segetalis application has been reported as effective in reducing dyspnea when applied to a specific area of the ear associated with lung function in the TCM paradigm.

The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effects of standardized auricular acupressure therapy using Vaccaria segetalis on dyspnea intensity and distress and oxygen saturation in end-stage lung cancer patients.

The experimental design was three conditions with eight measurement points in time. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: (1) Standard Care (SC); (2) SC with Vaccaria segetalis taped to random auricular locations (placebo); and (3) SC with Vaccaria segetalis taped to the auricular location deemed specific to lung function in TCM. Subjects were 11 hospice patients with advanced lung cancer and dyspnea. Dyspnea intensity and distress were measured by the Cancer Dyspnea Scale (CDS) and oxygen saturation was measured by pulse oximeter at eight time points.

Non-parametric statistical analyses suggest the presence of acupressure effects with medium to large effects and significant effect for dyspnea effort.

This pilot information suggests the need for further study of auricular acupressure using Vaccaria segetalis in the dyspneic advanced lung cancer population.