Auricular Acupressure Group Research Articles

Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Peri- and Early Postmenopausal Women with Anxiety: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Controlled Pilot Study

We tested effects of auricular acupressure on peri- and early postmenopausal women with anxiety (PPWA). Fifty PPWA were randomly assigned to the auricular acupressure group (AG) or the sham group (SG). After 3 meals and before sleep every day for 4 weeks, the AG received auricular acupressure on the bilateral ear shenmen and subcortex points for 3 min per point on alternating ears. The SG received sham auricular acupressure. The Alprazolam was reduced from 0.5 mg/day at baseline to 0.3 mg/day 4 weeks after auricular acupressure (4 W) in the AG (P < .05) whereas maintained at 0.5 mg/day in the SG (P > .05). The Zolpidem was reduced from 3.0 mg/day at baseline to 1.5 mg/day at 4 W (P < .05) whereas was reduced from 2.4 mg/day to 1.9 mg/day at 4 W in the SG (P > .05), thus, significant tapering medication, suggesting auricular acupressure is helpful to PPWA.

Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Effect of Auricular Acupressure in Patients with Glaucoma: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of auricular acupressure in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. Thirty-three (33) patients were recruited through advertisement at the clinic for glaucoma. These patients were divided into the auricular acupressure group (16 patients, 28 glaucoma eyes) and the sham group (17 patients, 32 glaucoma eyes). Patients in the acupressure group received auricular acupoint (kidney, liver, and eye) stimulator tapping and regular massage twice a day for 4 weeks. Patients in the sham group received tapping at sham auricular acupoints (wrist, shoulder, and jaw) without massage stimulation. The IOP and visual acuity (VA) were assessed before and after the treatment in the first 4 weeks and followed up, up to 8 weeks. After the treatment and at the 8-week follow-up, IOP and VA improved significantly in the acupressure group when compared with pretreatment (p < 0.05). The most significant IOP-lowering effect was seen at about 3-4 weeks after auricular acupressure. IOP returned to the initial level after acupressure had been discontinued for 4 weeks. Significant improvement of the uncorrected VA (UCVA) was noted at about 2-4 weeks in the acupressure group. UCVA improvement was also noted in the sham group. The difference was only significant in week 3. Improvement of the best-corrected VA was noted in both groups, but was only significant in week 2. Our data suggest that auricular acupressure can be used as a complementary treatment to ameliorate IOP and VA for patients with glaucoma.

Acupuncture and Auricular Acupressure in Relieving Menopausal Hot Flashes of Bilaterally Ovariectomized Chinese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this study is to explore the effects of acupuncture and auricular acupressure in relieving menopausal hot flashes of bilaterally ovariectomized Chinese women. Between May 2006 and March 2008, 46 bilaterally ovariectomized Chinese women were randomized into an acupuncture and auricular acupressure group (n = 21) and a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) group (Tibolone, n = 25). Each patient was given a standard daily log and was required to record the frequency and severity of hot flashes and side effects of the treatment felt daily, from 1 week before the treatment started to the fourth week after the treatment ended. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH and E2 were detected before and after the treatment. After the treatment and the follow-up, both the severity and frequency of hot flashes in the two groups were relieved significantly when compared with pre-treatment (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the severity of hot flashes between them after treatment (P > .05), while after the follow-up, the severity of hot flashes in the HRT group was alleviated more. After the treatment and the follow-up, the frequency of menopausal hot flashes in the HRT group was reduced more (P < .05). After treatment, the levels of FSH decreased significantly and the levels of E2 increased significantly in both groups (P < .05), and they changed more in the HRT group (P < .05). Acupuncture and auricular acupressure can be used as alternative treatments to relieve menopausal hot flashes for those bilaterally ovariectomized women who are unable or unwilling to receive HRT.

Acupuntura y acupresión auricular para el alivio de los sofocos de la menopausia: ensayo aleatorizado controlado en mujeres chinas sometidas a ovariectomía bilateral

The objective of this study is to explore the effects of acupuncture and auricular acupressure in relieving menopausal hot fl ashes of bilaterally ovariectomized Chinese women. Between May 2006 and March 2008, 46 bilaterally ovariectomized Chinese women were randomized into an acupuncture and auricular acupressure group (n = 21) and a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) group (Tibolone, n = 25). Each patient was given a standard daily log and was required to record the frequency and severity of hot fl ashes and side effects of the treatment felt daily, from 1 week before the treatment started to the fourth week after the treatment ended. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH and E2 were detected before and after the treatment. After the treatment and the follow-up, both the severity and frequency of hot fl ashes in the two groups were relieved signifi cantly when compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.05). There was no signifi cant difference in the severity of hot fl ashes between them after treatment (P > 0.05), while after the follow-up, the severity of hot fl ashes in the HRT group was alleviated more. After the treatment and the follow-up, the frequency of menopausal hot fl ashes in the HRT group was reduced more (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of FSH decreased signifi cantly and the levels of E2 increased signifi cantly in both groups (P < 0.05), and they changed more in the HRT group (P < 0.05). Acupuncture and auricular acupressure can be used as alternative treatments to relieve menopausal hot fl ashes for those bilaterally avariectomized women who are unable or unwilling to receive HRT.