ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2020;37(4):405-415

Original article

UDC: 618.146-076.5:616.89

The Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Stimulation on Anxiety
before Colposcopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Samaneh Jouya, Nahid Golmakani

Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

 SUMMARY

               Women experience a high level of anxiety and negative emotional responses during colposcopy, which results in women’s' unwillingness to return for follow-up. Transcutaneous auricular stimulation may be useful in reducing anxiety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of transcutaneous auricular stimulation on anxiety before colposcopy.

This randomized controlled clinical trial study was performed on 65 female candidates for colposcopy who were referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2017. Women were randomized into one of the two groups. In the intervention group, a pointer Excel device was used for forty minutes before colposcopy; electrical stimulation at 4 points (Shenmen, relaxation, tranquillizer and endocrine) was performed on ears, with the frequency of 2 Hz for 30 seconds at each point. Women received routine care in the control group. The anxiety level was assessed by Spielberger Questionnaire before intervention and also 40 minutes after intervention. Data analysis was performed using the t-test, paired t-test, and Mann-Whitney test in SPSS software, version16. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. After intervention, the state anxiety score was 43.9 ± 9.19 in the control group and 54.3 ± 9.07 in the intervention group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.00), while there was no significant difference in the level of trait anxiety in the two groups (P = 0.21). Regarding the reduction of state anxiety level after intervention, transcutaneous auricular stimulation is recommended as a suitable method to reduce anxiety of patients who are candidates for colposcopy.

Key words: anxiety, colposcopy, auriculotherapy, electrical stimulation