Intermittent 96 Hour Auricular Electro Acupuncture Using Microcurrent Stimulation for Symptoms of Hot Flashes: Effective Autonomic Modulation?

Abstract

Described here is a new treatment approach for hot flashes with Auricular Electroacupuncture (AEA) using an intermittent 96 hour micro current treatment protocol. This has been tested in a group of men with advanced prostate cancer suffering from vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) induced by androgen depravation therapy. All subjects were monitored with repeated heart rate variability (HRV) measurements over a six week protocol. The results of the AEA intervention show excellent reduction of hot flash symptoms, along with improved quality of life and sleep. Reviewed here are aspects of this treatment protocol that support continued research with AEA for this model disease that has pathophysiologic underpinnings of dysfunctional autonomic nervous system activity. The improvement of clinical symptoms with AEA intervention may represent autonomic modulation resulting from a balanced sympathetic and parasympathetic activity produced by prolonged auricular vagal nerve stimulation.