Auricular Acupressure Therapy for Patients With IC/BPS

Battlefield Auricular Acupressure (BAApress) for Chronic Pain Management in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS)

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of administering auricular acupressure for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), and evaluating the efficacy of auricular acupressure to reduce pain scores and decrease pain medication usage over time.

Eligible participants will be asked to complete baseline questionnaires. After completion, a study interventionist will place 10 adhesive acupressure pads/seeds on the participant's ears (5 on each ear). Each seed will be placed on a specific site on the ear believed to help with pain and overall well-being. Over the course of 5 days, participants will be asked to apply a small amount of manual pressure with their fingers to each of the ear pads and answer daily study questionnaires.

This feasibility trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Battlefield Auricular Acupressure (BAApress) Training and Intervention Fidelity study (IRB00084011).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >= 18 years
• History of documented interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS)
• Able to read and understand informed consent form in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a history of skin disease (e.g. psoriasis) involving the ear, adhesive allergy, recent scar tissue on ear, or current abrasions or cuts on the ear
• Cognitive impairment (e.g. delirium, dementia)
• Physical impairment preventing them from applying daily pressure/stimulation to ear seeds
• Patients with cardiac pacemakers (contraindication to POINTER PAL)
• Use of some types of hearing aids (which could potentially obstruct placements of ear seeds)
• Any acute illness or psychiatric conditions that would impact adherence to the study requirements