Auricular Acupuncture for Pain and Inflammation

The international standardization of auricular acupuncture points (AAPs) is an important basis for auricular therapy or auricular diagnosis and treatment. The study on the international standardization of AAPs has gone through a long process, in which the location method is one of the key research projects. There are different points of view in the field of AAPs among experts from different countries or regions. By only analyzing the nine representative location methods, this paper tried to offer a proper location method to locate AAPs. Through analysis of the pros and cons of each location method, the location method applied in the WFAS international standard of AAPs is thoroughly considered as an appropriate method. It is important to keep the right direction during developing an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) international standard of auricular acupuncture points and to improve the research quality of international standardization for AAPs.

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Auricular Acupuncture for Pre-Exam Anxiety in Medical Students: A Prospective Observational Pilot Investigation

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1136/acupmed-2015-010887 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 90-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Catharina Klausenitz ◽

Thomas Hesse ◽

Henriette Hacker ◽

Klaus Hahnenkamp ◽

Taras Usichenko

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Auricular Acupuncture ◽

Before And After ◽

Pilot Investigation ◽

Exam Anxiety ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

To Receive

Objective Auricular acupuncture (AA) is effective for the treatment of preoperative anxiety. We aimed to study the feasibility and effects of AA on exam anxiety in a prospective observational pilot study. Methods Healthy medical students received bilateral AA using indwelling fixed needles at points MA-IC1, MA-TF1, MA-SC, MA-AH7, and MA-T on the day before an anatomy exam. The needles were removed after the exam. Anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS-100) before and after the AA intervention and once again immediately before the exam. The duration of sleep on the night before the exam was recorded and compared to that over the preceding 1 week and 6 months (all through students’ recollection). In addition, blood pressure, heart rate and the acceptability of AA to the students were recorded. Results Ten students (all female) were included in the final analysis. All tolerated the needles well and stated they would wish to receive AA again for exam anxiety in the future. Exam anxiety measured using both STAI and VAS-100 decreased by almost 20% after AA. Conclusions AA was well accepted, the outcome measurement was feasible, and the results have facilitated the calculation of the sample size for a subsequent randomised controlled trial.

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