RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Ear Acupressure for Reducing Anxiety and Pain During Heart Surgery

This study is exploring whether a technique called ear acupressure can help people feel less anxious and experience less pain when they are having planned heart surgery. Ear acupressure comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine and involves gently pressing on specific points on the ear. This method has been used successfully in some countries to help people feel more balanced and calm, reducing stress and anxiety. Having heart surgery can be a big moment for anyone, and it's normal to feel worried. Researchers want to see if ear acupressure, which is easy to do, can be a helpful way to make patients feel better both physically and mentally before their operation, alongside any other care they receive. It's hoped this could improve how people experience surgery and recovery.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Enrolment target

Start

13 May 2025

Estimated completion

01 May 2026

Elective Heart Surgery

What is this study about?

When you're preparing for heart surgery, it's completely understandable to feel quite anxious or worried. These feelings are very common, and medical teams are always looking for ways to support you during this time. This particular study is investigating a technique called ear acupressure, which comes from an ancient healing system called Traditional Chinese Medicine. The idea is that by gently pressing on certain points on your ear, it can help your body and mind feel more balanced, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.

Many studies have already shown that similar techniques, like acupuncture (which uses fine needles), can help reduce anxiety and pain before various types of operations. For heart surgery specifically, researchers want to see if ear acupressure, which doesn't involve needles and is very easy to do, could be a useful way to help you feel more comfortable before your operation. The goal is to see if this gentle approach can make a difference in how you cope with the surgery and its recovery.

This study focuses on a specific type of ear acupressure, sometimes called the NADA protocol, which has been used for many years in other health settings to help with relaxation and reducing feelings of stress. By learning more about how it works for heart surgery patients, doctors hope to offer more options to help people feel better and reduce any unease they might have before their procedure.

Key takeaways

The study explores if ear acupressure can reduce anxiety and pain before heart surgery.
Ear acupressure is a gentle, needle-free technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It aims to promote relaxation and a sense of calm.
This is for adults having planned (elective) heart surgery.
Participation is voluntary and will not affect your medical care.
It could offer an additional way to support your well-being before a big operation.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adult patients aged 18 or over. You can join if you are scheduled for heart surgery that you have planned in advance (not emergency surgery).

However, you cannot take part if you are under 18 years old or if you are having emergency heart surgery. Also, if you have had any kind of acupuncture or acupressure treatment, including ear acupressure, within the last three months, you won't be able to join this particular study. This is to make sure the results are clear and not affected by recent treatments.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having heart surgery that has been planned in advance (not an emergency)?
Have you not had acupuncture or acupressure in the past three months?
Are you able and willing to give your permission to be part of the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the research team will explain everything to you in detail. It would involve receiving ear acupressure before your planned heart surgery. They will likely ask you some questions about how you are feeling (for example, about your anxiety or pain levels) before and after the acupressure, and possibly after your surgery too. The acupressure itself is a gentle, needle-free technique that will be applied by a trained professional. You won't need to take any new medication specifically for the study. The total duration of your involvement would be from just before your surgery until a short time afterwards, depending on the study's follow-up plan.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially help you feel less anxious and more relaxed before your heart surgery. It might also help reduce any pain you experience. Ear acupressure is generally considered very safe with very few risks, as it's a gentle, non-invasive technique. Any potential risks would be minor, such as slight skin irritation where the acupressure is applied. You are completely free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Robert Bosch Krankenhaus
Verified postcode
Stuttgart, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is acupressure?

Acupressure is a gentle technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine where pressure is applied to specific points on your body, often with fingers or hands, to help you feel better and more balanced.

Will this replace my usual pain relief or anxiety medication?

No, ear acupressure is being explored as an additional comfort measure. It would not replace any medication or treatments your doctors have planned for you.

How does ear acupressure work?

The idea is that pressing certain points on your ear can send signals to your brain to help your body relax, reduce feelings of stress, and promote a sense of calm.

Is it painful?

No, ear acupressure is not painful. It involves gentle pressure and should feel comfortable, perhaps a bit like a light massage.

What if I change my mind during the study?

You are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care or relationship with your healthcare team.

How to find out more

Nora Göbel, Priv.-Doz. Dr. med.

nora.goebel@rbk.de +49 711 8101 3650 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.