جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « اوریکولوتراپی » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

Poor sleep quality during pregnancy could lead to adverse outcomes for the mother and fetus. Therefore, this study aimed to employ auriculotherapy to improve sleep quality in pregnant women and enhance pregnancy outcomes.

The present study was a one-blind randomized clinical trial carried out on 99 pregnant women (49 in the intervention group and 50 in the control group) with sleep disorders who were referred to the health center of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The intervention group underwent auriculotherapy for four weeks. In the control group, the ear seeds were placed on different points without pressure was applied on these points. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was completed for both groups before and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software using paired t-test and ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered significant.

The results showed that sleep quality scores in the control group were not significantly different between the three times (P<0.05). In the intervention group compared to the control, sleep quality scores improved significantly two and four weeks after the intervention (P<0.05).

Based on our findings, auriculotherapy can be used as an uncomplicated and effective method instead of harmful drug treatments to improve the sleep quality of pregnant women.

Establishing effective communication and forming a strong attachment with a newborn baby are crucial tasks during the postpartum period. The bond between mother and baby has a profound impact on the child's well-being, as well as the mother's health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on the mother-infant attachment.

Methods & Materials: 

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted between March 2021 and September 2022 on a sample of 106 pregnant women who referred to the maternity ward of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Isfahan for normal vaginal delivery. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received auriculotherapy in addition to routine care, or the control group, which received only routine care. Auriculotherapy involved the stimulation of specific acupuncture points including oxytocin, uterus, Shen Men, thalamic, lung 1, and lung 2. Data collection was carried out using a checklist of demographic characteristics and the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26, employing independent t-test, paired t-test, exact Fisher's test, and chi-square test. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results showed that there was no statistically significant differences observed in demographic variables between the intervention and control groups (P>0.05). However, the mean score of attachment after delivery in the auriculotherapy group was significantly higher compared to the control group (P=0.004).

Based on the findings of this study, it has been determined that auriculotherapy exhibits the potential to enhance maternal attachment to the baby. Given its ease of use and non-invasive nature, it is strongly recommended to consider incorporating auriculotherapy as an intervention to improve mother-baby attachment during the postpartum period.

 One of the common problems that leads to poor sleep quality in the elderly is low back pain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of auriculotherapy (ear acupressure) on the sleep quality of elderly people with chronic low back pain. 

 This single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2019 on 70 older adults with chronic low back pain in Kashan, Iran, who were selected using a convenience sampling technique. After obtaining a written informed consent, they were assigned into intervention and sham groups using the block randomization method. In the intervention group, the pressure was applied to ShenMen, sympathetic, subcortex and low back points of the ear, while in the sham group, the pressure was applied to the points that were not associated with the low back pain. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) were completed at the beginning of the study, at the end of intervention, and one month after the end of intervention. Six patients from the Sham group and 2 patients from the intervention group were excluded from the study. The data of 62 elderly (in sham group 29 and in intervention group 33) according to Per-Protocol (PP) and data of all samples as Intention to Treat (ITT) were analyzed using covariance analysis and repeated measures ANOVA. 

 There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and sham groups in terms of the duration of disease at baseline (P=0.012). The interaction effect of time and group on the sleep quality was significant (P<0.0001). Sleep quality in the intervention group was significantly better than in the sham group at the end of the intervention and also during the one-month follow-up period (P<0.0001). Within-group comparison results reported a significant difference in the sleep quality between three evaluation times in the intervention group (P<0.0001).

 Auriculotherapy can improve sleep quality in the elderly with chronic low back pain. It is recommended to use auriculotherapy as a complementary therapy for treating these elderly groups.

Although angiography is applied as a standard method for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease, it is a stressful experience for patients. Medication therapy for mitigating the pre-operation stress includes side effects.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of auriculotherapy on the level of stress before coronary angiography in male patients hospitalized in the selected Aja hospital in Tehran.

This single-blinded clinical trial study was performed on 94 male patients undergoing coronary angiography in 2019. Patients were selected by convenience sampling and divided into intervention and control groups by random sampling method The DASS_21 Stress, Anxiety and Depression questionnaire were used to measure stress. The DASS-21 questionnaire subscale was completed by patients in both intervention and control groups. Auriculotherapy was performed by the researcher 60 minutes before angiography. Stress levels were measured again in both groups ten minutes after the intervention, In the control group, ear massage was performed on false points. In the present study, SPSS-21 was used for data analysis, and the Significance level was considered less than 0.05. (P<0.05).

There was no significant difference between groups before and after the intervention (P=0.197). Patients’ stress after auriculotherapy in the intervention group (2.98 ± 0.37) was significantly lower than that before auriculotherapy (4.17 ± 0.44) (P = 0.001); Stress was not significantly different in the control group (3.32 ± 0.40) before and after the intervention (3.0 ± 15.40) (P= 0.373). But the level of stress in the intervention group after auriculotherapy was insignificantly reduced compared to the control group (P= 0.790). Discussion and

The results showed that auriculotherapy can mitigate stress in patients undergoing angiography; therefore, this complementary method can be used to mitigate stress in these patients. Further studies with more sample size are recommended.

Constipation is one of the most prevalent digestive problems in hemodialysis patients that threatens their life due to hyperkalemia. Acupressure could be helpful in this condition. This study aimed at investigating the effect of auriculotherapy on severity of constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

A single-blind clinical trial was conducted in hemodialysis patients (n=70) experiencing constipation in Isfahan, Iran 2017. The samples were randomly assigned into either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group underwent auriculotherapy using vaccaria seeds in five points for one month. Data were collected using Constipation Assessment Scale before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention and analyzed in SPSS V18 applying independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, analysis of covariance, and Chi-square test.

Significant differences were seen in severity of constipation between the intervention group and control group at all times (P<0.05). Also, the mean decrease in the score for constipation severity in intervention group was significantly higher immediately after and one month after the intervention than the control group (P<0.05).

Auriculotherapy in constipation points; rectum, large intestine, shenmen, and kidney reduces the severity of constipation in hemodialysis patients. This method is recommended to reduce constipation severity in these patients.

One of the risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage is the elongation of labor. Today, various pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical methods are used to reduce pain and duration of delivery. One of these effective methods is the use of auriculotherapy (ear stimulation) in labor that not only reduces maternal pain, but also shortens the delivery duration. The effective methods in reducing labor duration may also affect the complications of increased delivery duration. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of this method on maternal postpartum hemorrhage and vital signs, as well as neonatal Apgar score.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 84 pregnant women within the age range of 18-35 years referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, for delivery. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (auriculotherapy) and control (routine care). The data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of two parts, the first section of which covered demographic characteristics (i.e., age, place of residence, occupation, education level) and gestational age, and the second part was related to maternal postpartum hemorrhage and vital signs. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 16), using independent t-test and Chi-square test. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean neonatal fifth-minute Apgar score was higher in the auriculotherapy group than that in the control group (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the auriculotherapy and control groups in terms of the rate of postpartum hemorrhage (P=0.51). Maternal respiratory rate (P=0.007) and postpartum temperature (P=0.021) showed significant changes in both groups. The results indicated that maternal vital signs in the intervention group were closer to normal conditions after delivery.

In this study, auriculotherapy was used to stimulate the points of Shen Men, point zero, thalamic, endocrine, autonomic, cerebral, and sensorial points, specialized spots including three uterine points, anterior pituitary point, posterior pituitary (oxytocin), two prostaglandin points, and external genital points (perineum and vagina). This intervention resulted in the improvement of neonatal Apgar score and left no unpleasant complications for mothers

Anxiety before colposcopy causes pain and discomfort during the procedure. Auriculotherapy could be an effective approach to reduce anxiety. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of auriculotherapy with vaccaria seeds on the anxiety in female colposcopy candidates.
This single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 61 women referring to Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran for colposcopy in 2017. The research units were selected via random allocation and classified into two groups of intervention and placebo. In the intervention group, vaccaria seeds were attached to the acupoints (shenmen, relaxation, tranquilizer, and endocrine) of the patients three days before colposcopy. The patients were asked to press each point for one minute three times a day. In the placebo group, labels without seeds were attached to unrelated points to anxiety. Anxiety levels were measured before and after the intervention (immediately before colposcopy) using Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 22 using independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test at the significance level of P After the intervention, mean scores of state anxiety were 44.5±9.9 and 49.2±7.8 in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, and a significant difference was observed between the groups in this regard (P=0.041). In addition, mean score of trait anxiety were 43.80±8.77 and 47.9±8.35 in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, showing a significant difference between the groups (P=0.049).
According to the results, auriculotherapy could effectively reduce the anxiety of the subjects after the intervention. Therefore, auriculotherapy is recommended as a beneficial approach to decrease anxiety in colposcopy candidates.

Post-cesarean anxiety is associated with increased pain, using analgesics and increased hospitalization time. Auriculotherapy may be useful as a complementary medicine to reduce anxiety. So, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety in patients after cesarean section.
This two-group randomized clinical trial study was performed on 66 pregnant women who referred to Mashhad Omolbanin hospital for caesarean section in 2015. In the intervention group, 2-3 hours after the operation, Auriculotherapy (in shenmen, subcortex, uterus, pelvic and abdominal points) was performed for 20 minutes. Before, one and two hours after the intervention, anxiety was measured by Spielberger anxiety questionnaire and blood pressure and pulse rate were evaluated. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and statistical tests of independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square and Fisher test. P There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, mean of state and trait anxiety before cesarean and state anxiety before the intervention (after cesarean) (P>0.05). No significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of mean anxiety one hour after the intervention (P=0.332). Two hours after the intervention, anxiety reduced in auriculotherapy group, but increased in control group, although the difference was not significant (P=0.876). Also, no significant difference was found between two groups in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate (P>0.05).
The use of auriculotherapy has no effect on reducing maternal anxiety after cesarean up to two hours after the intervention; therefore, it is recommended to perform further studies regarding the effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety after cesarean for longer time follow-up.

Aims and Pain is an inevitable part of the childbirth process. Nowadays non-pharmacological methods such as acupuncture are considered for labor pain relief، due to their lower side effects. So this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Auriculotherapy on pain intensity during the active phase of labor. This was a clinical trial on 80 nulliparous-women who were admitted to Sina Hospital. 40 women were assigned to the Auriculotherapy group and 40 women were assigned to the control group. The technique of Auriculotherapy was applied by the researcher at dilatations of 4، 6 and 8 cm in the intervention group. Pain intensity was measured by Visual Analogue Scale in two groups. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics، independent t-test، Mann-Whitney and Chi-square test، using the SPSS version 21. The results showed that mean pain intensity at different stages of dilatation was significantly decreased in the group receiving Auriculotherapy compared with the control group (P<0/05). The results of this study showed that Auriculotherapy is a simple، safe and cost-effective method to reduce pain in the active phase of labor. Using this method is recommended in low-risk and physiologic deliveries.