Effects of auricular-plaster therapy on pain and serum levels of cortisol and IL-6 after cesarean section

To evaluate APT (APT) for its analgesic effects and influence on serum cortisol and IL-6 levels after cesarean section. 108 puerperae prepared for cesarean section were randomly divided into three treatment groups: APT, patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), and a combination of APT and PCIA. The degrees of incision pain (including pain at rest and pain evoked by changing position in bed) and oxytocin-mediated uterine cramping pain were determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The serum concentrations of cortisol and IL-6 were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Uterine cramping pain was lower in the APT group than the PCIA group and lowest in the combination therapy group. Incision pain was similar between the APT group and the PCIA group but lower in the combination therapy group. On the second morning after surgery, the serum concentrations of cortisol and IL-6 were similar between the APT group and the PCIA group but lower in the combination therapy group. The extent of pain was highly related to cortisol levels and moderately related to IL-6 levels. APT can relieve uterine cramping pain after cesarean section, and in combination with PCIA can decrease serum levels of cortisol and IL-6.