Effectiveness of auriculotherapy for stress, based on experience of the therapist: a clinical trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of auriculotherapy with semipermanent needles on stress levels in the nursing staff of a teaching hospital. Methods: A clinical trial with forty-nine people randomized into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (less experienced therapists) and group 3 (more experienced therapists), conducted between January and July 2010. The subjects received eight sessions with the Shen Mein, kidney and brainstem points being assessed at baseline, after four and eight sessions, and at follow-up (15 days). Results: The ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the results before and after between the groups in the third assessment (F = 3.404 / p = 0.042) and at follow-up (F = 4.106 / p = 0.023). These differences were between groups 1/3 in the third assessment (p = 0.036) and at follow-up (p = 0.033). A marginally significant result was found at follow-up between groups 1/2 (p = 0 059). Conclusion: Auriculotherapy with more experienced therapists effectively reduced stress in nursing professionals, however, one considers the need for more studies with this procedure.