Efecto de la acupuntura en el control de la hipertensión arterial. Protocolo del estudio y resultados

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the control of arterial hypertension in patients already diagnosed with hypertension and who were currently on pharmacological treatment in the Montbrió del Camp Primary Care Area from October to December 2016.An experimental intervention study was conducted using random selection. A total of 11 patients were subjected to an energetic evaluation, and then treated with acupuncture for 8 weeks.The treatment consisted of performing body acupuncture together with auriculotherapy weekly for 8 consecutive weeks. The points were punctured using needles for 20minutes and then vaccaria seeds were placed in the ear at the end of each session, so that the patient could press them twice a day until the next visit. The points treated depended on the energetic evaluation and subsequent diagnosis according to the criteria of the five elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the fire, wood, and water points being treated. More points were added to all the participants depending on the energetic diagnosis according to Wu. Xing theory. The points treated in the auriculotherapy were Shen Men and Heart, as well as taking into account the presence of the diagonal groove in the earlobe.In the present study, acupuncture was shown to be effective in reducing the blood pressure levels in patients who were already receiving pharmacological treatment. This reduction is produced in the first three weeks and is subsequently maintained for a minimum of eight weeks.