Participants’ perception of effects of auricular acupuncture on people affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire: a cross-sectional survey
By Nicola Wardhaugh - MSc in Acupuncture
Abstract
Background
72 people died as a result of the Grenfell Tower Fire in June 2017 and many others experienced bereavement, displacement and trauma. A volunteer clinic was established to treat people affected by the fire using auricular acupuncture. The clinic had a need to demonstrate the clinic’s impacts in order to secure future funding.
Aim & Objectives
The study aimed to investigate the perceived effects of auricular acupuncture on people affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire who attended the clinic for treatment. The main objective was to design and conduct a small-scale, cross-sectional survey to investigate participants’ perception of the effects of auricular acupuncture.
Methods
A qualitative cross-sectional survey design was used to explore participant perceptions of auricular acupuncture effects. Convenience sampling identified 13 participants who completed face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings
Besides symptomatic improvements, patients reported wider Whole Person Effects relating to Changes in State and Changes in Personal and Social Identity following acupuncture treatment. Several patients reported non-positive effects. The practice of reflexivity highlighted key influences which shaped the research relating to positionality and vicarious trauma.
The unique contribution of this study concerns its use of reflexivity to highlight subjective influences which shaped the research including vicarious trauma. When conducting research with HAS-affected populations, careful examination of factors relating to vicarious trauma at the planning stage and incorporating reflexivity throughout the study are advised to safeguard participants and researchers while achieving rigour.
The benefits reported by patients following treatment provide a basis from which to conduct additional research examining the strength and direction of association between acupuncture and its effects in this population. Further studies with larger numbers of participants adopting a longitudinal approach are required.
