Effects of Electroacupuncture on Stress-Related Symptoms in Medical Students: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective To assess the effects of electroacupuncture on stress-related symptoms⎯sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and burnout⎯in medical students, and provide data to inform a power analysis to determinate numbers for future trials. Methods Twenty-fi ve students were randomly assigned to an electroacupuncture (n=12) group or control group (n=13) that did not receive treatment. Electroacupuncture was applied at a continuous frequency 2 Hz for 20 min once a week for 8 weeks at sites on the extremities, face, ear and scalp. The outcomes of the students treated with electroacupuncture were compared with those of the control group at the endpoint, controlling the infl uence of baseline scores. The instruments used were self-administered questionnaires that comprised the validated Portuguese version of the mini-sleep questionnaire (MSQ), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Beck depression inventory (BDI), the Beck anxiety inventory, the Maslach burnout inventory-student survey (MBI-SS), and World Health Organization quality of life assessment -abbreviated version (WHOQOL-bref). Results The medical students treated with electroacupuncture showed a significant decrease compared with the control group for MSQ scores (p=0.04) and PSQI (p=0.006). After treatment, 75% students in the electroacupuncture group presented a good sleep quality, compared with 23.1% of the students in the control group. No significant difference on daytime sleepiness was shown by the ESS. The electroacupuncture group showed significant improvement on depressive symptoms (BDI), the emotional exhaustion and cynicism dimensions of burnout (MBI-SS) and physical health (WHOQOL-bref). Conclusions Electroacupuncture was associated with a signifi cant reduction of stress-related symptoms, but because of the study design the authors cannot say what proportion of the reduction was due to needle stimulation.

Effects of Chronic Electroacupuncture on Depression- and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rats with Chronic Neuropathic Pain

“…EA has been broadly accepted to alleviate pain when stimulating electric current is applied to acupoints with acupuncture needles [24, 25], and accumulating evidence also shows that EA has been widely applied to clinical patients with depression diseases [26, 27]. First, we evaluate the treatment effect of EA on the psychiatric disorders induced by chronic neuropathic pain.…”

Influence of burnout and sleep difficulties on the quality of life among medical students

“…The Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey (MBI-SS) is an adapted version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey (MBI-GS) that has been used among students in many countries (Fang et al 2012 ; Kusurkar et al 2011 ; Galan et al 2011 ; Hu and Schaufeli 2009 ; Dias et al 2012 ; Schaufeli et al 2002 ). The MBI-SS is formulated to assess student burnout in the academic environment and addresses three subscales of burnout which are emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy.…”

Acupuncture on the Stress-Related Drug Relapse to Seeking

“…It is well documented that acupuncture decreases anxiety levels and stress-related symptoms [ 77 , 78 ]. In addition, studies have demonstrated that acupuncture reduces stress response by the following mechanisms: (1) inhibition of the sympathoadrenal medullary system in rats exposed to immobilization stress [ 79 ], (2) inhibition of HPA system in maternal separation rats [ 80 ], and (3) suppression of HPA system in ethanol-withdrawn rats [ 80 , 81 ], respectively.…”