Positive Health Online

Abstract

USICHENKO and colleagues, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Greifswald, Germany. taras@uni-greifswald.de , have reviewed (43 references) ear acupuncture for post-operative pain.

Background

The number of publications on the peri-operative use of auricular acupuncture has rapidly increased within the last decade. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical evidence on the efficacy of auricular acupuncture for postoperative pain control.

Methodology

Electronic databases: Medline, MedPilot, DARE, Clinical Resource, Scopus and Biological Abstracts were searched from their inception to September 2007. All randomised clinical trials on the treatment of postoperative pain with auricular acupuncture were considered and their quality was evaluated using the Jadad scale. Pain intensity and analgesic requirements were defined as the primary outcome measures.

Results

Of 23 articles, nine fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Meta-analytic approach was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the primary studies. In eight of the trials, auricular acupuncture was superior to control conditions. Seven randomized clinical trials scored three or more points on the Jadad scale, but none of them reached the maximum of 5 points.

Conclusion

The evidence that auricular acupuncture reduces postoperative pain is promising but not compelling.

References

Usichenko, T I.  Lehmann, Ch.  Ernst, E.   Auricular acupuncture for postoperative pain control: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Anaesthesia. 63(12):1343-8. Dec 2008.