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.
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
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
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead sponsor