Auricular Acupressure for Lung Surgery Prehabilitation

This study is looking at whether auricular acupressure, a type of complementary medicine, can help people preparing for major lung surgery. Auricular acupressure involves placing small seeds on specific points of the ear. Researchers want to see if this can improve overall health, including physical and mental well-being, before surgery. They are enrolling 40 participants who are at least 50 years old and are planning to have major lung surgery in at least two weeks. You would also need a care partner who can help with placing the seeds. The main goal is to see how many people enroll in the study within two weeks.

Study design
This study is an interventional study planning to enroll 40 participants. The phase of the study is not specified.
What's involved
Seeds will be placed during a clinic visit by an acupuncturist or research associate, and your care partner will observe. A photo of the seed placement will be given to you and your care partner.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint, which is the number of patients enrolled, is measured at 2 weeks. Further follow-up information is not specified.

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NCT06516198

Auricular Acupressure in Prehabilitation

Recruiting
NAAges 50+InterventionalSupportive care
University of Chicago
~40 participants
Updated 2025-12-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Auricular Acupressure

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Number of patients enrolled
Measured over 2 weeks
Frailty
Thoracic
Prehabilitation
Lung Surgery
Wedge Resection
Segmentectomy
Lobectomy
Pneumonectomy; Status
1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1
  • Maria Lucia Madariaga, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Chicago

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Being considered for major lung surgery
Surgery is not scheduled for at least 2 weeks
Age ≥ 50 years
Able to understand English at a 4th grade level
No known contraindications to prehabilitation (strength, endurance, balance exercises)
Able to provide informed consent for participation
Has an adult care partner who will be available and capable of placing seeds
Has access to smart phone for communication and image sharing
Underwent frailty screening (given any score)
Able to perform spirometry testing in clinic

Exclusion

Allergy to Vaccaria seeds
Medical condition affecting either ear preventing use of auricular acupressure such as eczema, frostbite, sunburn
  • Number of patients enrolled2 weeks

    The patient will complete a form after each seed pressing confirming the pressing and the time.