Effectiveness of auriculotherapy in anxiety according to traditional diagnoses

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fears and worries throughout life, these emotions emerge in situations that do not represent a real danger for the patient. Auriculotherapy is a method that consists in the use of ear points for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in the treatment of anxiety according to traditional diagnoses, at the Hermanos Cruz University Polyclinic, from January 2023 to January 2024.

Method: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out. The universe was 130 patients and the sample was 67, selected by non-probabilistic intentional sampling. Theoretical and empirical methods were used, the results were reflected in tables using descriptive statistics by means of absolute and relative percentage frequencies. The variables studied were symptoms, traditional diagnoses, response to treatment and presence of adverse reactions. Auricular points were selected by Zang-Fu organ syndromes.

Results: The most frequent symptoms were insomnia, irritability and palpitations. Internal syndromes were predominant, of a hot nature with excessive energetic state, Yang polarity, predominant etiological diagnosis was emotions and Liver Qi stasis syndrome. 98% of the sample had a good response to the treatment, and only 2% presented adverse reactions.

Conclusions: Auriculotherapy as a treatment for anxiety proved to be effective as it showed a good response to treatment, which demonstrates the feasibility, safety and speed of treatment with this natural therapy.