Abstract Title:

Intraocular pressure-lowering effect of auricular acupressure in patients with glaucoma: a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Source:

J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Nov;16(11):1177-84. PMID: 21058884

Abstract Author(s):

Jiann-Shyan Her, Po-Len Liu, Neng-Chin Cheng, Hung-Chang Hung, Po-Hsun Huang, Yuh-Lien Chen, Chih-Pei Lin, Chao-Hsin Lee, Chun-Chien Chiu, Jung-Sheng Yu, Hong-Song Wang, Yuan-Ju Lee, Jui-Lung Shen, Wen-Chi Chen, Yung-Hsiang Chen

Article Affiliation:

1 Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, Department of Urology, China Medical University and Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan .

Abstract:

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of auricular acupressure in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. Design: Thirty-three (33) patients were recruited through advertisement at the clinic for glaucoma. These patients were divided into the auricular acupressure group (16 patients, 28 glaucoma eyes) and the sham group (17 patients, 32 glaucoma eyes). Patients in the acupressure group received auricular acupoint (kidney, liver, and eye) stimulator tapping and regular massage twice a day for 4 weeks. Patients in the sham group received tapping at sham auricular acupoints (wrist, shoulder, and jaw) without massage stimulation. The IOP and visual acuity (VA) were assessed before and after the treatment in the first 4 weeks and followed up, up to 8 weeks. Results: After the treatment and at the 8-week follow-up, IOP and VA improved significantly in the acupressure group when compared with pretreatment (p < 0.05). The most significant IOP-lowering effect was seen at about 3-4 weeks after auricular acupressure. IOP returned to the initial level after acupressure had been discontinued for 4 weeks. Significant improvement of the uncorrected VA (UCVA) was noted at about 2-4 weeks in the acupressure group. UCVA improvement was also noted in the sham group. The difference was only significant in week 3. Improvement of the best-corrected VA was noted in both groups, but was only significant in week 2. Conclusions: Our data suggest that auricular acupressure can be used as a complementary treatment toameliorate IOP and VA for patients with glaucoma.

Study Type : Human Study

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