Purpose
This study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on shoulder pain and shoulder joint Range of Motion (ROM) in older adults.
Methods
This is an experimental, single-blind, randomized study with a placebo-controlled approach. The participants were older adults with shoulder pain. Each group was assigned 27 participants. The experimental group received auricular acupressure on shoulder pain-related points and the placebo-control group received auricular acupressure on shoulder pain-unrelated points. The intervention was implemented for eight weeks. To validate the effects of the treatment, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPTs), and ROM were conducted. VAS was measured before and after every intervention. SPADI, PPTs, and ROM were measured at the beginning and end of every intervention.
Results
The VAS scores in the experimental group with auricular acupressure significantly decreased with time (p<.001) and SPADI scores also significantly decreased (p<.001) compared with the scores of the placebo-control group. The experimental group's PPTs for their upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboideus major increased significantly, compared to that of the placebo-control group. The experimental group's ROM of flexion, abduction, and external rotation increased significantly compared to the placebo-control group. but there were no significant differences in internal rotation.
Conclusion
Auricular acupressure, applied for eight weeks, was found to effectively reduce shoulder joint pain and shoulder ROM. Consequently, auricular acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention method to reduce joint pain and improve shoulder ROM in elders.

Citations

• Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Nurses’ Perceived Stress, Sleep Quality, and Presenteeism
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  Holistic Nursing Practice.2025; 39(1): 15.     CrossRef
• Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pain and Stress in Nursing College Students With Cervical Pain: A Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
  Yuna Cho, Eunmi Cho, Eunseol Cho, Yeonju Chae, Eunkyung Choi, Hyeongyeong Yoon
  Pain Management Nursing.2025; 26(1): e59.     CrossRef
• Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Dry Eye Syndrome, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Single-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
  Hyeongyeong Yoon
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2024; 31(2): 243.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting physical and mental fatigue in adults from South Korea: A cross-sectional study
  Kyeha Kim, Jihyun Oh
  Medicine.2023; 102(50): e36549.     CrossRef
• Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Psychological Factors, Sleep Quality, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in South Korean Older Adults in the Community: A Single-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
  Hyeongyeong Yoon
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2023; 30(4): 509.     CrossRef
• Effects of auricular acupressure on sleep and pain in elderly people who have osteoarthritis and live in nursing homes: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial
  Won Jin Lee, Hyojung Park
  EXPLORE.2023; 19(2): 214.     CrossRef
• Effect of Auriculotherapy on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Sun Yeob Choi, Yeo Ju Kim, Bomi Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2022; 52(1): 4.     CrossRef