Pilot Evaluation of Auricular Acupressure in End-Stage Lung Cancer Patients Roger A. Strong, PhD, RN, ACHPN, FPCN, 1 Jane M. Georges, PhD, RN, 2 and Cynthia D. Connelly, PhD, RN, FAAN 2 Abstract Background: Dyspnea is a common symptom in end-stage lung cancer patients and is only infrequently controlled. Currently, the use of complimentary therapies using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including auricular application of Vaccaria segetalis (a small seed), is understudied. Acupressure using auricular Vac- caria segetalis application has been reported as effective in reducing dyspnea when applied to a specific area of the ear associated with lung function in the TCM paradigm. Objective: The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effects of standardized auricular acupressure therapy using Vaccaria segetalis on dyspnea intensity and distress and oxygen saturation in end-stage lung cancer patients. Methods: The experimental design was three conditions with eight measurement points in time. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: (1) Standard Care (SC); (2) SC with Vaccaria segetalis taped to random auricular locations (placebo); and (3) SC with Vaccaria segetalis taped to the auricular location deemed specific to lung function in TCM. Subjects were 11 hospice patients with advanced lung cancer and dyspnea. Dyspnea intensity and distress were measured by the Cancer Dyspnea Scale (CDS) and oxygen saturation was measured by pulse oximeter at eight time points. Results: Non-parametric statistical analyses suggest the presence of acupressure effects with medium to large effects and significant effect for dyspnea effort. Conclusions: This pilot information suggests the need for further study of auricular acupressure using Vaccaria segetalis in the dyspneic advanced lung cancer population. Introduction F or hospice care patients, symptom management is a central goal of treatment. Dyspnea is a chief symptom in hospice care patients, particularly in patients with advanced lung cancer. Dyspnea has been identified as the most dis- tressing symptom experienced by patients who are critically ill and at risk for dying. 1 Background Given the widespread nature of poorly controlled dyspnea in the lung cancer population, the examination of compli- mentary alternative interventions as adjuncts to traditional interventions is an appropriate area of study. Alternative therapies from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) include acupressure on specific auricle locations deemed in the TCM paradigm to be associated with corresponding somatic locations. 2 This study utilized the TCM technique of plac- ing a small Vaccaria segetalis seed with an adhesive tape on the auricle location associated with lung function. The use of acupressure/acupuncture in the auricular location asso- ciated in TCM with lung function has been shown effec- tive in alleviating respiratory symptoms in other patient populations. 3,4 Objective The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effects of standardized auricular acupressure therapy using Vaccaria segetalis on dyspnea intensity and distress and oxygen saturation in end-stage lung cancer patients. The hypothesis was that the use of auricular acupuncture seed adhesive on appropriate points plus Standard Care (SC) would be more effective in (1) reducing dyspnea and (2) increasing oxygen saturation. 1 Veterans Administration Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California. 2 Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, University of San Diego, San Diego, California. Accepted December 1, 2015. JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE Volume 19, Number 5, 2016 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2015.0347 556