Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Anxiety and Sleep Quality of Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Sham-controlled Trial

Menopause is associated with annoying symptoms, such as anxiety and sleep disorders. Acupressure, as one of the methods of complementary medicine, can replace pharmaceutical and hormonal methods. The present study aimed to determine the effect of auricular acupressure on anxiety and sleep quality of postmenopausal women.

This randomized sham-controlled trial was conducted on 107 postmenopausal women in Mashhad in 2019. Using a table of random numbers, the subjects were randomly assigned to three groups, namely one intervention group (with auricular acupressure and granular needle) and two control groups (one without granular needle and acupressure and one with routine care). In the intervention group and the control group without seed, the tapes were attached to both ears at 8 points. The intervention group pressed the points 4 times a day for 3 min each time. Demographic information form, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were completed at the baseline and after one month. Data analysis was performed in SPSS16 software using Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

There is no significant difference between sleep quality and anxiety in the three groups before the intervention (P=0.27 and P=0.95, respectively). However, this difference was significant after the intervention for both sleep quality and anxiety variables in the intervention group compared to the two control groups (P<0.001 and P=0.03, respectively).

Applying ear acupressure can reduce the anxiety in menopausal women and improve their sleep quality. It is recommended that healthcare professionals suggest this method to menopausal women.