1032 Auricular Point Acupressure for Sleep Disturbance in Women With Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disturbance is reported in up to 60% of cancer patient. In traditional Chinese medicine, evidence suggests that auricular point acupressure (APA) improves sleep. However, little is known about APA's effect on sleep disturbance in patients with breast cancer (BC). We tested the preliminary efficacy of APA on sleep in BC women undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in 41 BC patients (mean age=50±14) with self‐reported poor sleep [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)≥7]. Participants were randomly assigned to an APA group (n=22) and a control group (n=19). All patients received sleep hygiene education. Additionally, for the APA group, magnetic pellets were attached to selected auricular points once a week for 3 weeks at the clinic, and the participants were instructed to self‐press the pellets 4 times a day. Sleep were objectively measured by Actiwatch Spectrum and subjectively using PSQI at baseline and post‐intervention. Paired t‐tests and analyses of covariance using the variable baseline values were used to examine changes in sleep parameters. Results: Twenty‐one participants from the APA and sixteen from the control groups completed the study. Within the APA group, PSQI [mean difference (MD)=3.85, 95% Confidence Interval (C)=3.12∼4.60] and sleep onset latency (MD=18.02, 95%CI=5.96∼30.09) were significantly decreased, and the sleep duration (MD=‐0.53, 95%CI=‐0.99∼‐2.35) and sleep efficacy (MD=‐5.00, 95%CI=‐8.72∼‐1.28) were significant increased at post‐intervention. Compared to the control group, participants in the APA group had significantly lower PSQI (F=30.77, p<0.001) and greater sleep efficacy (F=5.25, p=0.028) at post‐intervention. Conclusion: APA may be an inexpensive and effective approach to improve sleep in patients with BC. More rigorous research with larger samples is needed to further test the efficacy of APA on promoting sleep in BC patients.