NCT03973801

Feasibility of Auricular Acupressure as an Adjunct Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (actual)
• Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 24 Hours
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will assess the feasibility of implementing auricular acupressure as an additional non-pharmacologic therapy for neonates at risk for developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) at Monroe Carrell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Detailed description

NAS is a condition in which newborns experience withdrawal symptoms as a result of in utero exposure to opioids and/or other substances ingested by the mother. The condition has significantly risen over the past 20 years. First line treatments for NAS involve the maximization of non-pharmacologic therapies. NAS management focuses on reducing or eliminating the need for medication management to prevent further developmental complications, promote maternal bonding, and reduce hospital length of stay. Auricular acupuncture has been used for the treatment of addiction and has demonstrated efficacy in the adult population. Current evidence suggests that acupuncture is safe and beneficial for multiple conditions that impact neonatal and pediatric populations including NAS. Acupressure is a less invasive therapy and may serve as an additional non-pharmacological adjunct to ease the severe discomfort of withdrawal in neonates at risk for NAS. This study will assess the feasibility of implementing auricular acupressure as an additional non-pharmacologic therapy for neonates at risk for developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) at Monroe Carrell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Conditions

• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
• Withdrawal

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Auricular acupuncture	National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol for auricular acupressure will be initiated within 24 hours of delivery and continued until withdrawal symptoms measure 6 or less for 12 hours on the modified Finnegan score and/or the morning of expected discharge as in line with standard of care.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-08-19
• Primary completion: 2019-09-16
• Completion: 2019-09-16
• First posted: 2019-06-04
• Last updated: 2020-03-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States