Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pain and Stress in Nursing College Students With Cervical Pain .
Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pain and Stress in Nursing College Students With Cervical Pain: A Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Pain Manag Nurs . 2025 Feb;26(1):e59-e65.Thirty-one nursing students with cervical pain were randomized to receive auricular acupressure (AA) for 4 weeks (n = 17) or placebo AA at non-cervical/stress points (n = 14). The primary outcome was neck pain (Numeric Rating Scale [NRS] and Neck Disability Index [NDI]); secondary outcome was perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]). Outcomes were assessed weekly for NRS/NDI and at weeks 0, 2, and 4 for PSS. Overall, the results revealed greater reductions in pain with AA versus placebo: NRS improved over time with significant between-group and group×time interaction; NDI favored AA between groups though without significant time or interaction effects; PSS decreased over time without between-group differences. These findings suggest 4-week AA is a safe, noninvasive option that reduces neck pain in this population.
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