Effects of Swanson theory-based auricular acupressure on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and broader health-related outcomes in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is common in patients with breast cancer who received taxane-based chemotherapy. While auricular acupressure has shown promise in symptom management, its effects within a caring framework remain underexplored. This study aims to examine the effects of Swanson theory-based auricular acupressure on CIPN and broader health-related outcomes (e.g., sleep and quality of life) and the potential mediating role of inflammatory biomarkers.

Methods

Seventy-four participants with breast cancer were recruited with 1:1 random assignment in intervention group and control group. Participants in the intervention group were instructed by nurses to do Swanson theory-based auricular acupressure during the 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Auricular acupressure was applied to10 ear points with each of them evenly for 1–2 minutes at a time and 3–5 times a day according to their feeling of discomfort. CIPN symptoms, sleep quality, inflammatory biomarkers, quality of life and patient-reported nurse-patient relationship were measured. Two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess differential change in these outcomes between the two groups over time.

Results

The levels of inflammatory biomarkers decreased over time in both groups. Compared to the control group, the intervention group experienced significantly larger reduction in Tumor Abnormal Protein level (P ​< ​0.001), smaller increases in CIPN symptom severity (P ​< ​0.001), improved sleep quality (P ​< ​0.001), and higher levels of trust in nurses (P ​< ​0.001) across chemotherapy cycles.

Conclusions

Swanson theory-based auricular acupressure may have a potential benefit to mitigate the worsening of CIPN symptoms, improve sleep and quality of life, reduce inflammatory biomarkers, and enhance the nurse-patient relationship during chemotherapy. These findings support the integration of auricular acupressure within holistic cancer care, highlighting the value of compassionate, theory-driven nursing interventions. Further large-scale studies are recommended to confirm these outcomes and explore underlying mechanisms.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the National Health Security Information Platform (Medical Research Registration and Information System, https://www.medicalresearch.org.cn/) (MR-14-24-054013).