Auricular Electroacupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture With Health Education for Pain in Leprosy

This randomized controlled pilot study evaluated the effects of auricular electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture combined with health education on pain management in adults diagnosed with leprosy or who had completed pharmacological treatment. Participants were randomly allocated to three parallel groups: auricular electroacupuncture plus health education, auricular acupuncture plus health education, or an active control group receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The primary outcome was pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. Secondary outcomes included functional mobility, upper limb function, physical disability, and quality of life. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the intervention period.