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Auricular point acupressure studies by Chao Hsing Yeh, PhD, RN, FAAN

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Overview:

Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults Using Auricular Point Acupressure (R01)

  • PI: Chao Hsing Yeh, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Funding: National Institute on Aging
  • Overview: This study tests the efficacy of using acupuncture-like stimulation of the ear in relieving chronic lower back pain in older adults, using small seeds taped to the ear instead of needles. Inflammatory cytokines are measured to assess physiological response, and a smart-phone app facilitates real-time reports from patients.

Pilot Testing a Theory-Driven Self-Management Intervention for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (R56)

  • PI: Chao Hsing Yeh, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Funding: National Institute of Nursing Research
  • Overview: Dr. Yeh’s team has developed a smart phone app for patients receiving auricular point acupressure as a nonpharmaceutical pain treatment. The pilot explores patient self-efficacy using the app alone and in combination with in-person training.

Auricular Point Acupressure to Manage Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy (R01)

  • PI: Chao Hsing Yeh, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Funding: NIH – National Cancer Institute
  • Overview: This study integrates self-reported measures, quantitative sensory testing, endogenous biomarkers, and neuroimaging to investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of using acupuncture-like stimulation of the ear to reduce pain, numbness, or tingling in the extremities for patients who have been treated with chemotherapy.

Personalized Auricular Point Acupressure to Self-Manage Cancer-Related Pain

  • PI: Chao Hsing Yeh, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Funding: The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
  • Overview: This study employs self-administered auricular point acupressure to alleviate the pain and discomfort that often accompanies cancer or cancer-related treatments. The grant will be used to upgrade a smartphone app that she and her team developed as part of previous studies. This self-guided tool supports self-administered auricular point acupressure for pain. The grant will support a new version of the app that will include short videos, a mobile-enabled website platform to allow patients to view the information on the device of their choice, access to a data-driven dashboard, and motivational messages to promote adherence. Additionally, the app will be available in Spanish to better serve the rapidly growing Latino population in the Houston area. Learn more.

 

Research Resources