The effect of ear acupressure (auriculotherapy) on sexual function of lactating women: protocol of a randomized sham controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Lactation has a negative effect on female sexual function. Hormonal changes during lactation cause changes which might lead to dyspareunia, lack of libido, and anorgasmia. There are various pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to treat sexual dysfunction. While pharmacological treatment has multiple unwanted side effects, non-pharmacological therapies such as complementary medicine are a potential safer alternative. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ear acupressure on sexual function of lactating women. Methods/design: This is a randomized clinical trial with a parallel sham control group. In this study, 76 lactating women between 6 months and 1 year after childbirth were referred to health care centers in Qazvin City and would be invited to participate. Participants will be divided into intervention (n = 38) and control (n = 38) groups using simple block randomization. Both intervention and sham control groups will be visited over 10 sessions within a 4-day interval. At each visit, the adhesives containing Vaccaria seed will be adhered for the intervention group, while non-latex-based adhesives with no Vaccaria seeds will be placed on the same ear acupoints for the sham control group. Selected ear acupoints include genitalia (two ear points), pelvic point, master shoulder, and posterior pituitary gland. The women will be asked to hold the seeds on their ears for 3 days and press each ear point three times a day for 20 s. After 3 days, they will be asked to remove the seeds from their ears and rest for 1 day. Sexual function as primary outcome in both groups will be assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index before and immediately after 1 and 2 months after the intervention. Also, Sexual Quality of Life as secondary outcome will be assessed using Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) before and 2 months after intervention. Data will be analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA at the significant level of 0.05. Discussion: This study is expected to support the impact of ear channel ear acupressure on sexual function in lactating women.

Observation on the Efficacy of Moxibustion Combined with Ear Acupoint Pressing Beans in Treating Patients with Phlegm Stasis Syndrome Vertigo

“…Moxibustion [ 9 ] and ear acupressing bean therapy [ 10 ] are the treasures of Chinese medicine, and research on moxibustion and ear acupressing bean therapy for vertigo has been in constant development in recent years. Studies [ 11 , 12 ] have shown that stimulating the corresponding response points and acupuncture points in the auricle can help regulate the qi and blood of the internal organs, balance yin and yang, unblock the meridians, and tonify the kidneys and strengthen the spleen, thus achieving a calming and tranquilizing effect and stopping dizziness. In addition, the warmth of the moxibustion fire can be used to stimulate the body, eliminating stagnation, raising the Yang and Qi, and warming the meridians and invigorating the blood, thus promoting the glory of Qi and blood and nourishing the brain, which can effectively suppress vertigo.…”

Needle contact test in auricular acupuncture for shoulder pain and where effective auricular acupoints identified are positioned on the map: A controlled study

“…The shoulder is represented in the areas SF1 and SF2 (Figure 2). 21 Primary objective was to evaluate efficiency of NCT as viable diagnostic option to identify the most appropriate AA acupoints to be selected for treatment of shoulder pain associated with SST. Outcome measurements used were pain assessment with Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and affected shoulder Range of Movements (ROM).…”