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Recruiting NCT07179016

NCT07179016 Evaluating the Auricular Point Acupressure-Self Management Program for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among Rural Populations

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT07179016
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Condition Chronic Pain (Back / Neck)
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 693 participants
Start Date 2025-09-11
Primary Completion 2029-06-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 85 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Auricular Point Acupressure (APA) - Self Management (SM)Education Control

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 693 participants in total. It began in 2025-09-11 with a primary completion date of 2029-06-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The investigators will test an Auricular Point Acupressure Self-Management (APA-SM) program integrated into rural primary and specialty care and rural communities for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). To maximize self-management of pain, the investigators developed a smartphone app which will allow the participants to learn to self-administer APA. The investigators will have 3 arms (APA-SM self-guided with remote training, APA-SM with in-person training, and Education Control) with 231 participants per arm (total=693 for 3 arms). The investigators will evaluate the clinical effectiveness of our 4-week APA-SM intervention compared to control in primary outcomes (pain intensity, pain interference, activity), secondary outcomes (HEAL Clinical Pain Core common data elements), and analgesic use up to 6 months follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Receive any pain management for CMP (neck, back, shoulder, hands, hips, knees, feet) * Have CMP ≥ 4 on a scale of 0-10 that has persisted for at least 3 months or has resulted in pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Severe ear skin disorder (Diagnosed with conditions e.g., eczema, lupus with skin involvement) which often require medical intervention and severe allergy to tape * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent * Use of some type of hearing aid where size may obstruct seed placement * Not living in rural area

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Jennifer Kawi, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAAN

✉ Jennifer.Kawi@uth.tmc.edu

📞 713-500-2293

Principal Investigator

Jennifer Kawi, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAAN

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT07179016 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 85 Years, studying Chronic Pain (Back / Neck). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT07179016 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT07179016 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Jennifer.Kawi@uth.tmc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT07179016 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Columbia, United States, Fort Worth, United States, Houston, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT07179016 clinical trial?

NCT07179016 is sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. The principal investigator is Jennifer Kawi, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAAN at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. The trial plans to enroll 693 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology