Effects of Auriculotherapy on treatment of women with premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on the intensity of physical and mood Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil. INTERVENTION: Ninety-one women were randomly assigned to Auriculotherapy (AG), Placebo (PG), and Control (CG) groups. The intervention was 8 weeks long, done once per week. At each session in AG the microneedles were placed in seven points related to PMS symptoms (Anxiety; Endocrine; Muscle relaxation; Analgesia; Kidney; Shen Men; and Sympathetic). At PG the microneedles also were placed in seven points but unrelated to PMS symptoms (Tonsils; Vocal cords; Teeth; Eyes; Allergy; Mouth; and External nose). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments of PMS symptoms (Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool), musculoskeletal pain (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref) were done at baseline, before the 5th session, after program completion, and a month follow-up. RESULTS: The AG and PG showed significantly lower scores of PMS symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and anxiety. On the quality of life and follow-up analysis, the significance was observed only in PG. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy can be used as adjunctive therapy to reduce the physical and mood PMS symptoms.

Enfrentamento à pandemia da Covid-19: experiências da farmácia do Paraná da 2ª Regional de Saúde / Confronting the Covid-19 pandemic: Experiences of the Paraná Pharmacy from the 2nd Health Regional

O surgimento do novo coronavírus exigiu a readaptação de diversos sistemas pertencentes à sociedade. Neste contexto, houve a necessidade da reestruturação dos fluxos de grande parte dos serviços de saúde. O presente relato de experiência descreve as ações adotadas pela Farmácia do Paraná (2ª RSM) para minimizar os impactos da pandemia aos pacientes e funcionários. Foram adotadas medidas de caráter administrativo, organizacional e estrutural, incluindo alterações nos processos de dispensação de medicamentos, nas renovações de cadastro e na busca ativa por usuários elegíveis ao serviço "Remédio em Casa". No panorama inicial da estratégia foi possível verificar um incremento no envio de medicamentos via SEDEX, refletindo em uma redução na quantidade de atendimentos presenciais. Tais ações, realizadas de maneira coordenada, contribuem para a redução do risco de contágio e exposição à Covid-19, refreando o avanço da contaminação e reforçando a importância das medidas de isolamento social. (AU)

The emergence of the new coronavirus required the readaptation of several social systems. In this context, there was a need to restructure flows of many health services. This experience report describes the actions adopted by "Pharmacy of Paraná" (2nd RSM) to minimize the impacts of the pandemic on patients and employees. Administrative, organizational, and structural measures were adopted, including changes in drug dispensing processes, registration renewals, and active search for eligible users of the "Remedies at Home" service. In the initial scenario of the strategy, there was an increase in sending medication via "SEDEX", which reduces the amount of inperson care. These actions, carried out in a coordinated manner, reduce the risk of contagion and exposure to Covid-19, curbing contamination and reinforcing the importance of social isolation measures. (AU)