Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Peri- and Early Postmenopausal Women with Anxiety: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract EN

We tested effects of auricular acupressure on peri- and early postmenopausal women with anxiety (PPWA).

Fifty PPWA were randomly assigned to the auricular acupressure group (AG) or the sham group (SG).

After 3 meals and before sleep every day for 4 weeks, the AG received auricular acupressure on the bilateral ear shenmen and subcortex points for 3 min per point on alternating ears.

The SG received sham auricular acupressure.

The Alprazolam was reduced from 0.5 mg/day at baseline to 0.3 mg/day 4 weeks after auricular acupressure (4 W) in the AG (P<.05) whereas maintained at 0.5 mg/day in the SG (P>.05).

The Zolpidem was reduced from 3.0 mg/day at baseline to 1.5 mg/day at 4 W (P<.05) whereas was reduced from 2.4 mg/day to 1.9 mg/day at 4 W in the SG (P>.05), thus, significant tapering medication, suggesting auricular acupressure is helpful to PPWA.