AcupunctureAuricular Acupressure in Prehabilitation

A random number card will be drawn in sequence from a box. Even numbered cards will assign the patient to the experimental group, odd numbered cards will assign the patient to the control group.

o Intervention group seed points:

1. Shen Men (anxiety, depression, stress, pain)
2. Point 0 (homeostasis, energy, mood)
3. Endocrine (hormonal homeostasis)
4. Subcortex (insomnia, anxiety, pain, inflammation)
5. Autonomic (autonomic balance, pain)

A random number card will be drawn in sequence from a box. Even numbered cards will assign the patient to the experimental group, odd numbered cards will assign the patient to the control group.

o Control group sham seed points:

1. Inside edge, center of tragus
2. Helix midway between apex and tubercle
3. Helix 1 cm anterior to apex
4. 5 mm anterior to Shen Men
5. Covered, 5 mm anterior and superior to endocrine

For the sham intervention (Sham Type II, same intervention with seeding and intermittent pressing) the seeds are placed at nonacupressure points for the control group.

Seeds will be placed during the clinic visit by the acupuncturist or the research associate according to the group the patient was assigned to. The care partner will observe the placement. A photograph of the seed placement will be taken and given to the care partner and to the patient after the relevant points are labeled by number or letter. The method of pressing is demonstrated for 1 one of the seeds, the care partner practices pressing on 2 other seeds, and the patient practices pressing on the remaining 2 seeds. Pressing consists of applying pressure, gradually increasing the pressure until the patient expresses discomfort, and maintaining that pressure until 2 minutes have passed. After pressing has been performed for each seed, the seeds are removed in clinic prior to clinic discharge.