OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of experimental auriculotherapy and placebo auriculotherapy with sham points for the treatment of stress in nurses of a charity hospital in São Paulo. METHOD: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. The sample consisted of 168 nurses with medium and high stress levels according to the List of Stress Symptoms (LSS). The participants were randomized to three groups: Auriculotherapy (G1), Placebo (G2) and Control (G3). Groups 1 and 2 received 12 sessions, twice a week. The points used in Group 1 were: Shenmen and Brainstem; in Group 2 the points were: External Ear and Face Area. The three groups were evaluated at baseline, after eight sessions, 12 sessions and in a follow-up (after 15 days). RESULTS: Group 1 achieved a 43% reduction and a 1.81 Cohen d index (high effect), presenting statistical difference after eight sessions, maintained in the follow-up evaluation (p <0.001), according to Analysis of Variance. Group 2 achieved a 26% reduction, with Cohen's d index of 0.86 (great effect), achieving a difference after 12 sessions (p<0.001), maintained in the follow-up (p <0.05). The G3 did not present stress reduction. CONCLUSION: Experimental auriculotherapy achieved greater stress reduction among nurses, but there was no statistical difference between the two intervention groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-req2792.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of experimental auriculotherapy and placebo auriculotherapy with sham points for the treatment of stress in nurses of a charity hospital in São Paulo. METHOD: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. The sample consisted of 168 nurses with medium and high stress levels according to the List of Stress Symptoms (LSS). The participants were randomized to three groups: Auriculotherapy (G1), Placebo (G2) and Control (G3). Groups 1 and 2 received 12 sessions, twice a week. The points used in Group 1 were: Shenmen and Brainstem; in Group 2 the points were: External Ear and Face Area. The three groups were evaluated at baseline, after eight sessions, 12 sessions and in a follow-up (after 15 days). RESULTS: Group 1 achieved a 43% reduction and a 1.81 Cohen d index (high effect), presenting statistical difference after eight sessions, maintained in the follow-up evaluation (p <0.001), according to Analysis of Variance. Group 2 achieved a 26% reduction, with Cohen's d index of 0.86 (great effect), achieving a difference after 12 sessions (p<0.001), maintained in the follow-up (p <0.05). The G3 did not present stress reduction. CONCLUSION: Experimental auriculotherapy achieved greater stress reduction among nurses, but there was no statistical difference between the two intervention groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-req2792.
Authors: Natalia Stanulewicz; Emily Knox; Melanie Narayanasamy; Noureen Shivji; Kamlesh Khunti; Holly Blake Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-12-18 Impact factor: 3.390