Effect of Auriculotherapy with Vaccaria Seeds on the Anxiety of Female Colposcopy Candidates

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety before colposcopy causes pain and discomfort during the procedure. Auriculotherapy could be an effective approach to reduce anxiety. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of auriculotherapy with vaccaria seeds on the anxiety in female colposcopy candidates. Methods: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 61 women referring to Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran for colposcopy in 2017. The research units were selected via random allocation and classified into two groups of intervention and placebo. In the intervention group, vaccaria seeds were attached to the acupoints (shenmen, relaxation, tranquilizer, and endocrine) of the patients three days before colposcopy. The patients were asked to press each point for one minute three times a day. In the placebo group, labels without seeds were attached to unrelated points to anxiety. Anxiety levels were measured before and after the intervention (immediately before colposcopy) using Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 22 using independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test at the significance level of P<0.05. Results: After the intervention, mean scores of state anxiety were 44.5±9.9 and 49.2±7.8 in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, and a significant difference was observed between the groups in this regard (P=0.041). In addition, mean score of trait anxiety were 43.80±8.77 and 47.9±8.35 in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, showing a significant difference between the groups (P=0.049). Conclusion: According to the results, auriculotherapy could effectively reduce the anxiety of the subjects after the intervention. Therefore, auriculotherapy is recommended as a beneficial approach to decrease anxiety in colposcopy candidates.

Keywords

• anxiety
• auriculotherapy
• colposcopy