The NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory has announced the inclusion of the APA-SM (Personalized Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Pain Self-Management in Rural Populations) trial in its portfolio of innovative studies. Supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, with administrative oversight from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, this project seeks to address chronic pain management in rural communities.
Trial Design and Objectives
The APA-SM study will implement a pragmatic, hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to assess a 4-week auricular point acupressure intervention for self-management of chronic pain. The trial will be conducted in rural communities across Texas and South Carolina. The primary outcomes measured will include pain intensity, pain interference, and function. Secondary outcomes will focus on implementation effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and factors predicting treatment response. Key secondary outcomes are based on the HEAL Clinical Pain Core Common Data Elements.
Leadership and Funding
The principal investigators for APA-SM are Jennifer Kawi from the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, Jane Bolin from Texas A&M University, and Hulin Wu from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Funding for APA-SM is provided through the Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) program, a component of the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Initiative℠ (NIH HEAL Initiative℠), which aims to combat the opioid crisis.
Significance
Chronic pain is a significant public health issue, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare can be limited. This trial addresses the critical need for effective, non-pharmacological pain management strategies to reduce reliance on opioids. Auricular point acupressure offers a potentially accessible and cost-effective intervention for these communities. The results of the APA-SM trial are expected to provide valuable insights into the implementation and effectiveness of this approach in real-world settings.
