Auricular Stimulation vs. Relaxation for Pre-exam Anxiety

Title of the study: Auricular acupuncture (AA) vs. progressive muscle relaxation for pre-exam anxiety - a randomised crossover study Study period: 04 / 2015 - 07 / 2015 Principal Investigator: PD Dr. T. Usichenko Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Medicine of Greifswald Aim of the study: To investigate the anxiolytic effect of AA vs. progressive muscle relaxation and vs. no intervention in students, passing the oral exams in anatomy at the University of Greifswald Design: Prospective randomised crossover trial Interventions: 1. AA using indwelling fixed needles, retained 24 h in situ 2. Progressive muscle relaxation Number of volunteers: N = 30 Healthy medical students at the University of Greifswald Participants of the oral anatomy exams in spring/summer 2015 Without previous anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic medication No pregnancy or lactating Informed consent Outcome measures: Anxiety level Heart rate, blood pressure Salivary α-amylase