Investigation of the Efficacy of Auricular Acupuncture Adjunctive Therapy in the Reduction of Post-operative Pain in a Third Molar Extraction Model: A Prospective, Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, prospective clinical study was to evaluate whether addition of auricular acupuncture would reduce postoperative pain and analgesic use in patients undergoing third molar extraction with deep sedation. Auricular acupuncture has been suggested as a means to stimulate an endogenous opioid system and has been used to manage chronic pain maladies including TMD and migraines. Recent research indicated that it may also be effective for acute pain management. There are several proposed mechanisms of this pain reduction, two of which are: 1) the gate control theory in which activation of non- noxious A fibers inhibits pain input to the brain, and 2) a placebo effect. This study used the Battlefield Acupuncture protocol developed by Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow. Materials/Methods: Gold Acupuncture Semi-Permanent (ASP) needles were placed in five predetermined points placed in each ear in the experiment group by a dentist credentialed in Battlefield Acupuncture protocol in addition to normal acute pain management procedures. Patients in the acupuncture placebo group had auricular acupuncture placed in two predetermined neutral points in each ear. Patients were given a two week journal to fill out following surgery that indicated their pain three times per day, the location and quality of their pain, and the times which they consumed either Ibuprofen or Percocet prescriptions. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test if there was a significant difference in the change in the VAS pain scores, ibuprofen use, and Percocet use, respectively between treatment groups. Results/Conclusion: Pain was significantly reduced in the auricular acupuncture experiment group from day 1 to 5 compared to the placebo group. There was no statistical difference between groups regarding Percocet nor Ibuprofen consumption.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1063888
Entities
People
- Heather M. Brooks
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences