Effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety of pregnant women receiving low-risk prenatal care

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety levels of pregnant women receiving low-risk prenatal care. Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind clinical study conducted at a low-risk prenatal clinic in a philanthropic maternity hospital in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, with a sample of 50 pregnant women (25 in control group; 25 in experimental group). The intervention used was Auriculotherapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is one of the practices used as microsystem acupuncture. For auriculotherapy treatment, three ear points were used together, namely the Shen Men, Kidney and Sympathetic (in Portuguese they are called triângulo cibernético or “cyber triangle”). These are opening points used for activation of the following points to be stimulated: Brainstem, Spleen, Anxiety. All these points have the function of calming the mind and spirit, reducing anxiety and producing analgesia and sedation. The mustard seed (yellow rapeseed) was used for auriculotherapy. The proposed intervention was performed by the researcher, an obstetric nurse and acupuncture specialist. Pregnant women from both control and intervention groups attended four prenatal nursing consultations, but only the intervention group underwent three auriculotherapy sessions at these consultations, with a three-day interval between each session, totaling 13 days of follow-up. The expected response was the presence of sensitivity at the sites of points to be applied and stimulation of the point through the mustard seed attached with microporous, hypoallergenic surgical tape, which were performed by manual manipulation of pregnant women. The survey was performed through instruments such as forms containing sociodemographic and clinical variables, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) applied by an acupuncture nurse who did not participate in the auriculotherapy-nursing intervention to avoid bias. Descriptive data analysis was performed through frequency tables with number and percentage for each item of the research instruments. A box-plot graph was used for illustration and better visualization of results. The ANOVA was used for comparison of the different moments, and the Student’s T for comparison between the case and control groups. The significance level adopted was 5%. The SPSS 20 statistical package was used for analysis. Results: In the first moment, both groups presented medium level of Trait Anxiety and State Anxiety, and there was no statistical difference between groups, thereby demonstrating the sample homogeneity (p=0.385 and p=0.352). After the auriculotherapy intervention, between the third and fourth consultations, there was a significant reduction of State Anxiety in the intervention group (p=0.033), but the same did not occur in the control group (0.052). Conclusion: Auriculotherapy is a potential integrative and complementary practice within the National Health System (Brazilian SUS) that can help reduce pregnant women’s anxiety during low-risk prenatal care. The acupuncturist nurse has relevant importance in this process.