Use of auriculotherapy to control low back pain, anxiety and stress of professionals of the correctional system

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Auriculotherapy is an integrative practice used to relieve physical and emotional symptoms, especially in relation to pain. It has a low cost and easy applicability, which makes it a viable and eligible therapeutic resource. The present study aimed to identify the contributions of auriculotherapy to improve the quality of life of professionals of the correctional system. METHODS: Experimental study, with data collection between July and December 2018 in the female public prison of a city of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Low back pain, anxiety, and stress were the symptoms selected for the intervention with auriculotherapy evaluated at each auriculotherapy session by psychometric instruments. Data analysis was performed using STATA software version 12.0. RESULTS: Women aged between 30 and 44 years old, brown, with complete higher education and living with spouse prevailed. There was a greater reduction in the intensity of symptoms in the intervention group, especially in relation to stress and low back pain, which indicates the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in this group. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy has shown promising in this occupational context and can bring direct benefits to professionals, both in relation to the willingness to work and to promote the quality of life.