• J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2024

    NADA acupuncture in specialized palliative care: Patients' and family caregivers' experiences.

    • Regina Wittchen Sørensen, Nina Ingerslev Andersen, and Karin Brochstedt Dieperink.
    • Department of Oncology (R.W.S., N.I.A., K.B.D.), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: Regina.soerensen@rsyd.dk.
    • J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024 Jul 1; 68 (1): 191-9.

    ContextOver the last 30 years, non-pharmacological treatment with ear acupuncture, including National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture, has become popular in Western society to relieve cancer-related symptoms.ObjectivesThis study aim is to explore whether NADA acupuncture plays a role in relieving suffering experienced by patients hospitalized in a specialized palliative care ward and their family caregivers and whether it contributes to their coping skills.MethodsA qualitative study with a hermeneutic approach utilizing inductive thematic content analysis. Purposeful sampling took place in a specialized palliative care ward in Denmark and all data were collected through semi-structured interviews with patients and family caregivers as either individual or family interviews.ResultsA total of 10 patients and 15 family caregivers participated in interviews. Four themes emerged: (1) communication about treatment with NADA acupuncture, (2) relief of suffering generates extra energy and inner strength, (3) sharing the experience with the family is beneficial, and (4) physical and psychological effects after receiving NADA acupuncture.ConclusionPatients in palliative care and their family caregivers experienced relief of suffering after receiving NADA acupuncture, as well as improved well-being, and extra energy and inner strength to cope with their life situation. The ability to share NADA acupuncture gave family caregivers the feeling of being cared for and contributed to feelings of fellowship and togetherness within the family, strengthening their ability to communicate and cope.Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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