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

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Status

Completed

Conditions

Withdrawal

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Treatments

Other: Auricular acupuncture

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03973801

191023

Details and patient eligibility

About

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).

Full 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.

Enrollment

12 patients

Sex

All

Ages

Under 24 hours old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

37 weeks gestational age or greater
Maternal age 16 or older
Substance exposure in utero including opioids, illicit drugs, or other medications that cause neonatal withdrawal

Exclusion criteria