Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure on the Methadone Patient

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study aims to investigate the effect of auricular point sticking on constipation in patients with methadone

Detailed Description
-----------------
This study is a randomized controlled trial, taking 72 methadone constipation patients from a hospital in the north as objects, and divided them into an auricular point group and a control group. The experimental group was given auricular point sticking, while the control group only used sticking cloth. The two groups were measured for constipation, TCM constitution, anxiety, depression and quality of life before the intervention and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after the start.

Official Title
-----------------
Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure on the Methadone Patient

Conditions
-----------------
Conditions:Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure on the Methadone Patient

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Auricular pressure


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Methadone patients over 20 years old. Those who have clear consciousness and can communicate in Chinese and Taiwanese. The frequency of defecation is less than three times a week. Willing to sign a written subject consent form. Exclusions: Those with wounds, broken skin, and blisters on the skin of both ears. People with blood coagulation problems and related diseases, such as: purpura, hemophilia, etc. Age <20 years old. Subjects who use drugs to improve constipation.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental group:<br>Experimental Group A total of 36 methadone patients will receive auricular pressure | Other: Auricular pressure<br>* The seeds of blancia blanc were fixed on the acupoints with patches. The intervention measure in the experimental group was auricular point sticking. The two groups received four measurements before the intervention and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after the start; while the control group received no Auricular pressure.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group:<br>Control group 36 bits No interventions implemented | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The effect of constipation after auricular acupressure | There were significant between-group differences in Bristol Stool Type at Weeks 2, 4, and 6 between the two groups (p= .003, p < .001, p < .001, respectively). The distribution of Bristol Stool Types in the second week, the fourth week, and the sixth week of the above-mentioned auricular point sticking intervention in the two groups all had statistically significant differences. | six weeks | 
| The effect of TCM constitution after the intervention of auricular acupressure | The total score of the experimental group in the 2nd week and the 6th week was damp and hot (p < .05); the experimental group had a significant difference in the decrease of the total score of the qi stagnation in the 4th week and the 6th week (p < .05). | six weeks | 
| The effect of intervention on depression and anxiety after auricular acupressure | There was no significant difference in the scores of the Bayesian Anxiety Scale and depression between the experimental group and the control group at the 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week (p > .05). | six weeks | 
| Effect of Interventional Auricular Acupressure on Quality of Life for Constipation | There were significant differences in the decrease of the total score of the experimental group in the 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week (p < .05, p < .001, p < .001 respectively) | six weeks |