A Chinese study exploring the effect of magnetic auricular acupuncture (MAA) in reducing the pain experienced by newborns during ophthalmic examinations found it is potentially safe and effective.  

MAA, which involves applying magnets to specific points on the ear, may offer an alternative or adjunct to current non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to alleviate neonatal pain, researchers said. A total of 380 patients across 16 hospitals were randomised to 190 in the MAA intervention group, with the remaining 190 as controls. 

Comparing the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores during the eye exam, researchers found PIPP scores were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (median (IQR): 10.00 (5.00,13.00) v 12.00 (7.00,14.00), p=0.038). 

Future studies should assess combinations of pain interventions and long-term outcomes, researchers concluded.