Effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety and biomarkers in Primary Health Care: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) serum levels in adults assisted in Primary Health Care. METHODS: a pre-experimental pilot clinical trial. Information was obtained from 19 patients using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and analysis of BDNF, NSE and S100B serum levels. RESULTS: the pre-intervention anxiety score in the IDATE-Trait was 52.11±6.691 (CV 12.84%) and the assessment after auriculotherapy was significantly lower (43.72±8.141; CV 18.62%; P=0.0007). S100B levels were significantly reduced after auriculotherapy (from 64.03±72.18 to 54.03±68.53 pg/mL; CV 126.8%; P=0.0023). CONCLUSION: auriculotherapy effectively reduced anxiety levels. It proved to be safe and easy to apply, allowing nurses to perform this technique autonomously. A reduction of S100B was also evidenced, demonstrating possible prevention of neuronal damage.

Effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety and biomarkers in Primary Health Care: a clinical trial / Efeitos da auriculoterapia na ansiedade e biomarcadores na Atenção Primária à Saúde: um ensaio clínico / Efectos de la auriculoterapia sobre la ansiedad y biomarcadores en Atención Primaria de Salud: un ensayo clínico

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the effects of auriculotherapy on anxiety and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) serum levels in adults assisted in Primary Health Care. Methods: a pre-experimental pilot clinical trial. Information was obtained from 19 patients using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and analysis of BDNF, NSE and S100B serum levels. Results: the pre-intervention anxiety score in the IDATE-Trait was 52.11±6.691 (CV 12.84%) and the assessment after auriculotherapy was significantly lower (43.72±8.141; CV 18.62%; P=0.0007). S100B levels were significantly reduced after auriculotherapy (from 64.03±72.18 to 54.03±68.53 pg/mL; CV 126.8%; P=0.0023). Conclusion: auriculotherapy effectively reduced anxiety levels. It proved to be safe and easy to apply, allowing nurses to perform this technique autonomously. A reduction of S100B was also evidenced, demonstrating possible prevention of neuronal damage.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos da auriculoterapia sobre a ansiedade e os níveis séricos do fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF), enolase-específica de neurônios (NSE) e proteína ligadora de cálcio S100B (S100B) em adultos atendidos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: ensaio clínico piloto pré-experimental. As informações foram obtidas de 19 pacientes por meio do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) e da análise dos níveis séricos de BDNF, NSE e S100B. Resultados: o escore de ansiedade pré-intervenção no IDATE-Traço foi de 52,11±6,691 (CV 12,84%) e a avaliação após a auriculoterapia foi significativamente menor (43,72±8,141; CV 18,62%; P=0,0007). Os níveis de S100B foram significativamente reduzidos após auriculoterapia (de 64,03±72,18 para 54,03±68,53 pg/mL; CV 126,8%; P=0,0023). Conclusão: a auriculoterapia reduziu efetivamente os níveis de ansiedade. Mostrou-se segura e de fácil aplicação, possibilitando ao enfermeiro realizar esta técnica com autonomia. Uma redução de S100B também foi evidenciada, demonstrando possível prevenção de danos neuronais.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar los efectos de la auriculoterapia sobre la ansiedad y los niveles séricos de factor neurotrófico derivado de cerebro (BDNF), enolasa-específica de neurona (NSE) y proteína fijadora de calcio S100B (S100B) en adultos atendidos en Atención Primaria de Salud. Métodos: ensayo clínico piloto preexperimental. Se obtuvo información de 19 pacientes mediante el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI) y análisis de niveles séricos de BDNF, NSE y S100B. Resultados: la puntuación de ansiedad preintervención en el IDATE-Rasgo fue de 52,11±6,691 (CV 12,84%) y la valoración tras la auriculoterapia fue significativamente menor (43,72±8,141; CV 18,62%; P=0,0007). Los niveles de S100B se redujeron significativamente después de la auriculoterapia (de 64,03±72,18 a 54,03±68,53 pg/mL; CV 126,8%; P=0,0023). Conclusión: la auriculoterapia redujo efectivamente los niveles de ansiedad. Demostró ser seguro y fácil de aplicar, lo que permitió a las enfermeras realizar esta técnica de forma autónoma. También se evidenció una reducción de S100B, lo que demuestra una posible prevención del daño neuronal.