Auriculotherapy for the treatment of anxiety during pregnancy

Elaboration andvalidation of a clinical protocol

Authors

  • Herica Pinheiro Correa Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros – UNIMONTES, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cuidado Primário em Saúde – PPGCPS. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.
  • Daniel Vinícius Alves Silva Santa Casa de Saúde de Montes Claros – SCS, Departamento de Enfermagem. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.
  • Kaue Batista Andrade Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros – UNIMONTES, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cuidado Primário em Saúde – PPGCPS. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.
  • Antônio Prates Caldeira Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros – UNIMONTES, Departamento de Saúde da Mulher e da Criança. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.
  • Tânia Couto Machado Chianca Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG - Brasil.
  • Maria Fernanda Santos Figueiredo Brito Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros - UNIMONTES, Departamento de Enfermagem. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.
  • Caroline de Castro Moura Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Docente do Departamento de Enfermagem. Viçosa, MG – Brasil.
  • Diego Dias de Araújo Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros - UNIMONTES, Departamento de Enfermagem. Montes Claros, MG – Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2316-9389.2025.48727

Keywords:

Anxiety, Auriculotherapy, Complementary Therapies, Nursing, Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: to elaborate and validate an auriculotherapy point protocol for anxiety in pregnant women. Method: this is a methodological study, developed in four steps: (i) bibliographic survey; (ii) elaboration of the auricular point protocol; (iii) format and content validation of the point protocol by 18 experts in the acupuncture area, using na absolute agreement percentage equal to or greater than 90%; and, (iv) clinical validation of the protocol developed in pregnant women with anxiety, assessed by means of a score ≥40 on the State Anxiety Inventory. Results: of the 285 articles dentified in the databases, one was included for full analysis. The auriculotherapy protocol for anxiety in pregnant women, validated by the experts, was composed of the points Anxiety (100%), Shen Men (100%), Heart (94.4%), Kidney (94.4%) and Visceral/Sympathetic Nervous System (94.4%). However, the Liver (83.3%), Subcortex (77.8%) and Spleen (72.2%) points did not reach the established agreement. The application of auriculotherapy with radionic crystals unilaterally, alternating the ear pavilion once a week for four sessions, showed a significant improvement in anxiety (p=0.029). Conclusion: the auricular points Anxiety, Shen Men, Heart, Kidney and  visceral/Sympathetic Nervous System were validated by the experts. The point protocol demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the reduction of anxiety in pregnant women. Therefore, it is an integrative and complementary health practice that can be associated with other interventions to prevent, minimize or treat anxiety in pregnant women.       

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Additional Files

Published

2025-02-25

Issue

Vol. 29 (2025)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2025 REME-Revista Mineira de Enfermagem

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How to Cite

1.
Auriculotherapy for the treatment of anxiety during pregnancy: Elaboration andvalidation of a clinical protocol. REME Rev Min Enferm. [Internet]. 2025 Feb. 25 [cited 2025 Mar. 15];29(1). Available from: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/reme/article/view/48727

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