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Choi S, Kim B. Effect of Auriculotherapy on Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Holist Nurs 2024:8980101241257138. [PMID: 38807497 DOI: 10.1177/08980101241257138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Background: Auriculotherapy, a form of therapy that involves stimulating specific points on the ear auricle, has garnered attention for its potential in holistic stress management in adults, aligning with broader patient-centered therapeutic approaches. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of auriculotherapy for stress relief in adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of nine databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, RISS, KMbase, and KISS) was performed, yielding 553 studies. Of these, 12 were selected for meta-analysis based on the inclusion criteria, which considered demographic data, types of auriculotherapy, intervention characteristics, auricular points, and stress-related outcomes. The risk of bias was also evaluated for each selected study. Results: The meta-analysis results (n = 12) indicated that auriculotherapy was significantly superior to the control group in terms of subjective stress index, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and pulse rate, as well as improving low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) heart rate components and their ratio (LF/HF) in adults. Additionally, the subgroup analysis indicated a trend where the effect size of acupressure may be larger than that of acupuncture. Conclusions: Our findings underscore auriculotherapy's efficacy in reducing stress in adults, advocating for its integration into nursing curriculums as a viable clinical intervention for stress management. Promoting its application in clinical environments could complement holistic, patient-centric care paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunyeob Choi
- College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bomi Kim
- College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Kim B, Park H. The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Menopausal Symptoms, Stress, and Sleep in Postmenopausal Middle-Aged Women: A Randomized Single-Blind Sham-Controlled Trial. J Midwifery Womens Health 2024; 69:41-51. [PMID: 37549976 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Middle-aged women in the postmenopausal period experience menopause symptoms, stress, and poor sleep quality due to hormonal changes. Nonetheless, most of them recognize such symptoms as an aging process without receiving proper treatment, and there are few nonpharmacologic interventions available. METHODS This was a randomized single-masked, sham-controlled trial. For the intervention group, a vaccaria seed was applied to the auricular points of Shenmen, anterior lobe, adrenal glands, central rim, and endocrine that are related to the menopause symptoms, stress, and sleep while applying a seed to the auricular points not related to the forementioned symptoms to the control group. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), heart rate variability, and electroencephalogram (EEG) were measured before the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, and 8 weeks after the intervention. Actigraphy was measured with a Fitbit, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was measured before and after the intervention. The study was registered with the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (KCT0007364). RESULTS The MRS showed significant differences over time in the intervention group (F, 22.057; P < .001). There was a significant difference over time in the PSS (F, 22.576; P < .001), stress index measured by heart rate variability (F, 14.027; P = .001), and antistress quotient of the right brain measured by EEG (F, 4.865; P = .033). Sleep quality, measured by the PSQI (t = -4.050, P < .001), and sleep efficiency measured by actigraphy (t = 5.996, P < .001) were found to be significantly different over time in the intervention group. DISCUSSION This study demonstrated that auricular acupressure is effective in improving menopause symptoms, stress, and sleep in postmenopausal middle-aged women. Therefore, auricular acupressure may be a useful nonpharmacologic intervention for alleviating these symptoms in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomi Kim
- College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyojung Park
- College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Mróz M, Czub M, Brytek-Matera A. Heart Rate Variability-An Index of the Efficacy of Complementary Therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163447. [PMID: 36014953 PMCID: PMC9416471 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as a functional and psychosomatic disease, reduces the quality of life and increases the risk of developing mental disorders. Deregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the main causes of the disease. The objective of the present study was to identify the studies in which measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) were performed before and after therapeutic intervention, and to evaluate the effectiveness of IBS therapy in terms of a reduction of IBS symptoms and changes in autonomic tone. A systematic review of the literature was carried out in accordance with PRISMA standards. Six databases were searched for articles published before 2022: PubMed®, MEDLINE®, EBSCO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were experimental design, diagnosis of IBS (medical and/or diagnosis in accordance with the Rome Criteria), non-pharmacological intervention, and HRV measurement before and after the intervention. The quality of the studies was assessed by JBI Critical appraisal. In total, 455 studies were identified, of which, sixwere included in the review. Expected changes in HRV (increase in parasympathetic activity) were observed in four of the six studies (interventions studied: ear acupressure, transcutaneous auricular vagusnerve stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy with relaxation elements, yoga). In the same studies, therapeutic interventions significantly reduced the symptoms of IBS. The present review indicated that interventions under investigation improve the efficiency of the ANS and reduce the symptoms of IBS. It is advisable to include HRV measurements as a measure of the effectiveness of interventions in IBS therapy, and to assess autonomic changes as a moderator of the effectiveness of IBS therapy.
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Cai W, Zhang K, Wang GT, Li J, Wei XY, Ma W, Li YJ, Wang B, Shen WD. Effects and safety of auricular acupressure on depression and anxiety in isolated COVID-19 patients: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1041829. [PMID: 36545041 PMCID: PMC9760812 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1041829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychological distress such as depression and anxiety resulted from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have attracted increasing attention. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects and safety of auricular acupressure on depression and anxiety in isolated COVID-19 patients. METHODS 68 participants diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia (18-80 years old, SDS ≥ 50, SAS ≥ 45) were recruited and randomly allocated to the auricular acupressure group and the sham auricular acupressure group by a computer-generated random number sequence from 9th June to 30th June 2022. The group allocation was only blinded to the participants. Those in the auricular acupressure group were attached magnetic beads against 4 auricular points Shenmen, Subcortex, Liver and Endocrine, while sham group used four irrelevant auricular points. Outcomes were measured by Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SAS) before and after treatment in both groups through electronic questionnaire in mobile phones. RESULTS After treatment, statistically significant differences were found in scores of SAS in both groups (P < 0.001 in auricular acupressure group; P = 0.003 in sham group), and SDS scores reduced significantly in the auricular acupressure group (P = 0.002). Significant reduced SAS and SDS scores were achieved in the auricular acupressure group than that in the sham group (F = 4.008, P = 0.049, MD -7.70 95% CI: -9.00, -6.40, SMD -2.79 95% CI: -3.47, -2.11 in SDS; F = 10.186, P = 0.002, MD -14.00 95% CI: -15.47, -12.53, SMD -4.46 95% CI: -5.37, -3.56 in SAS). No adverse events were found in either group during the whole study. CONCLUSION Auricular acupressure is an effective and safe treatment for alleviating symptoms of depressive and anxiety in patients with COVID-19. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://www.chictr.org.cn//, identifier ChiCTR2200061351.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Cai
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guan-Tao Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Wei
- Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Ma
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Juan Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lianyang Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dong Shen
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhu Y, Xu F, Lu D, Rong P, Cheng J, Li M, Gong Y, Sun C, Wei W, Lin L, Chen JDZ. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation improves functional dyspepsia by enhancing vagal efferent activity. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G700-G711. [PMID: 33624527 PMCID: PMC8887908 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00426.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate whether transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) would be able to improve major pathophysiologies of functional dyspepsia (FD) in patients with FD. Thirty-six patients with FD (21 F) were studied in two sessions (taVNS and sham-ES). Physiological measurements, including gastric slow waves, gastric accommodation, and autonomic functions, were assessed by the electrogastrogram (EGG), a nutrient drink test and the spectral analysis of heart rate variability derived from the electrocardiogram (ECG), respectively. Thirty-six patients with FD (25 F) were randomized to receive 2-wk taVNS or sham-ES. The dyspeptic symptom scales, anxiety and depression scores, and the same physiological measurements were assessed at the beginning and the end of the 2-wk treatment. In comparison with sham-ES, acute taVNS improved gastric accommodation (P = 0.008), increased the percentage of normal gastric slow waves (%NSW, fasting: P = 0.010; fed: P = 0.007) and vagal activity (fasting: P = 0.056; fed: P = 0.026). In comparison with baseline, 2-wk taVNS but not sham-ES reduced symptoms of dyspepsia (P = 0.010), decreased the scores of anxiety (P = 0.002) and depression (P < 0.001), and improved gastric accommodation (P < 0.001) and the %NSW (fasting: P < 0.05; fed: P < 0.05) by enhancing vagal efferent activity (fasting: P = 0.015; fed: P = 0.048). Compared with the HC, the patients showed increased anxiety (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001), and decreased gastric accommodation (P < 0.001) and %NSW (P < 0.001) as well as decreased vagal activity (fasting: P = 0.047). The noninvasive taVNS has a therapeutic potential for treating nonsevere FD by improving gastric accommodation and gastric pace-making activity via enhancing vagal activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Treatment of functional dyspepsia is difficult due to various pathophysiological factors. The proposed method of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation improves symptoms of both dyspepsia and depression/anxiety, and gastric functions (accommodation and slow waves), possibly mediated via the enhancement of vagal efferent activity. This noninvasive and easy-to-implement neuromodulation method will be well received by patients and healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- 1Division of Gastroenterology, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, China,2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Xu
- 3Division of Gastroenterology, Yinzhou Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dewen Lu
- 3Division of Gastroenterology, Yinzhou Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- 4Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafei Cheng
- 5Division of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- 6Division of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Yaoyao Gong
- 2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Sun
- 1Division of Gastroenterology, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- 7Division of Gastroenterology, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- 2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiande D. Z. Chen
- 8Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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