The efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with emotional freedom techniques on the postoperative pain and anxiety state of patients with lower limb fractures: A randomized clinical controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Lower limb fractures cause local pain, swelling, ecchymosis, and dysfunction. Clinically, incision and reduction surgery are often employed to treat lower limb fractures. However, postoperative pain can be intense, leading to adverse emotions that hinder subsequent recovery.

METHODS

A total of 99 postoperative patients with lower limb fractures were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (routine care, 33 patients), the auricular acupressure group (routine care plus auricular acupressure, 33 patients), and the combined group (routine care, auricular acupressure, and emotional freedom techniques [EFT], 33 patients). Pain levels were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), and anxiety levels were measured using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) at various time points post-intervention. Patient satisfaction with nursing care was also evaluated at the end of the intervention.

RESULTS

The VAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-intervention (P < .05). Additionally, the SAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 72 hours post-intervention (P < .05). The combined group also reported significantly higher satisfaction with nursing care compared to the other 2 groups at the end of the intervention (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Auricular acupressure combined with EFT effectively reduces pain levels, alleviates anxiety, and increases patient satisfaction with nursing care in postoperative patients with lower limb fractures.