Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2026
Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
Sustained effects of auricular point acupressure on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial
Nada Lukkahatai1,2, Yannuo Jiang3, Jingyu Zhang4
1Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. nada.lukkahatai@jhu.edu.
Purpose:
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) is a persistent condition that impairs function and quality of life. Auricular point acupressure (APA) has shown short-term benefit for CIN, but the durability of these effects after treatment completion is unknown. This study evaluated the sustainability of symptom improvements for 3 months following a 4-week APA intervention.
Methods:
This prespecified secondary analysis of a randomized wait-list controlled trial compared mobile-supported APA (mAPA) and virtual APA (vAPA) in adults with moderate or greater CIN who received APA during the initial treatment phase (mAPA, n = 80; vAPA, n = 75). Outcomes at 1, 2, and 3 months post-intervention were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with multiple imputation. The primary outcome was CIN severity, measured with an individualized composite outcome (ICO); the secondary outcome was CIN interference.
Results:
Reductions in CIN severity and interference were maintained throughout follow-up in both groups (all p < .001). ICO scores decreased by 3.10, 3.36, and 3.61 points in mAPA and by 2.88, 2.90, and 3.21 points in vAPA at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. Benefits were maintained post-treatment, with higher retention in the mAPA group.
Conclusions:
Improvements in CIN severity and interference after APA were sustained for up to 3 months post-treatment, suggesting a durable benefit as a self-management strategy. Larger studies with longer follow-up and untreated comparison groups are needed.
Implications For Cancer Survivors:
APA may offer survivors a durable, self-administered, nonpharmacologic option for managing CIN well beyond active treatment, without requiring ongoing clinical visits.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04920097 registered on 3 June 2021.
