Effectiveness of Auriculotherapy for exam anxiety among Naturopathy Medical students. A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 3 期
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 60
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale will be used to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms. The scale consists of 14 items, each defined by a series of symptoms, and measures both psychic anxiety (mental agitation and psychological distress) and somatic anxiety (physical complaints related to anxiety). Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), in the total score of less than 17 indicates mild, 18-24 moderate, 25-30 moderate to severe.
研究概览
简要总结
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worries, and negative physiological reactions.(1) In educational settings, Students learning and understandings are assessed through Examination. This situation drives them into psychological disturbance leading to anxiety. (2)Exam or test anxiety is a stress response experienced before, during and sometimes after exams. If it becomes intense, that can impede academic performances. In comparing with other professional courses medical students reported higher prevalence of anxiety and depression. The vast materials of academic and clinical information to memorize, in a short period of time contributes their psychological state affecting the physical conditions, sleep pattern impairing the motivation, concentration, learning, and performance in the tests.(2,3) Although some levels of anxiety are necessary for academic success, tremendous anxiety such as overwhelming emotions, stressful thoughts, and increasing study load was negatively correlated to hinder the ability of students to understand, manage academic load and the ability to prepare for the examinations.(3)The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale identifies students with anxiety impairment.(4,5) It is reliable and valid for educational institutes and exam-anxiety evaluations of the students’ performance.
Acupuncture is a Chinese medical treatment involving in insertion of fine metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues at precise points on the body(6). Auriculotherapy is a branch of acupuncture, performing stimulation of specific points on external ear. Auriculotherapy will be conducted based on STRICTA guidelines.(7) Auriculotherapy is a less invasive method of stimulation of auricular branch of vagus nerve and trigeminal nerve (8)(9). Stimulation of specific points on external ear sends signals to central nervous system through the cranial/spinal nerves, inhibiting inappropriate reflexes and modulates the physiological response by increasing the neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin) release.(10) The vagus nerve regulates anxiety and anxiety perception areas such as thalamus, brainstem, insula, and, amygdala. Vagus nerve has parasympathetic control, visceral function and it involves in emotional expression, social communication, self-soothing behaviours, regulation of mood, anxiety, pain, hormone regulation.(7)
Previous studies observed that various measures like aromatherapy, relaxation, acupressure(11), and acupuncture are effectively used in managing the exam anxiety. This study aimed to measure anxiety levels and manage the student’s anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and downregulating the adrenergic activities through Shenmen and Zero point of auriculotherapy.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18.00 Year(s) 至 20.00 Year(s)（—）
- 性别
- All
入选标准
- •Age group: 18- 20 years 2) first year Undergraduate Naturopathy medical students 3) Without alcohol abuse or use of opioid or psychotropic medication within 24 hours prior and during the study 4) Students who are willing to give their consent.
排除标准
- •Open wounds, burns or scalds in the ears.
- •Who had alcohol or psychotropic medication within 24 hours prior to the study, 3) Auricular infection and inflammation in the ear 4) Who have needle phobia.
结局指标
主要结局
The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale will be used to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms. The scale consists of 14 items, each defined by a series of symptoms, and measures both psychic anxiety (mental agitation and psychological distress) and somatic anxiety (physical complaints related to anxiety). Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), in the total score of less than 17 indicates mild, 18-24 moderate, 25-30 moderate to severe.
时间窗: one day before exam and on completion of all the exams (after ten days)
次要结局
- Quality of sleep will be assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). It consists of 19 self-reported questionnaires belongs to one of seven subcategories: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction(one day before exam and on completion of all the exams (after ten days))
研究者
Dr M R Monicaasun
International Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy Medical Sciences