Effectiveness of auriculotherapy on anxiety during labor: a randomized clinical trial1.

The 120-minute anxiety analyses excluded women whose labor occurred before 120 minutes, leaving 29 in the auriculotherapy group, 33 in the sham group and 32 in the no-intervention group. The no-intervention group could not be blinded, so participants, evaluators and unit staff knew when no ear spheres were used. Baseline anxiety was mostly mild and none were severe, so the trial does not show what happens in women with high anxiety. The trial did not record whether women used routine complementary practices available in the unit, such as shower, lombossacral massage, breathing exercises, Swiss/exercise ball or freedom of movement, so their contribution cannot be separated from auriculotherapy. The sample size was calculated for pain intensity and labor duration in a larger study, not specifically for anxiety. No data were collected on diagnosed anxiety disorders or routine use of medications for anxiety. The study was conducted in one public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, with routine obstetric supports and frequent use of oxytocin, prostaglandins and amniotomy, so it may not apply to other settings.

Do not conclude that auriculotherapy alone reduces anxiety during labor. The auriculotherapy group did not show a significant decrease from admission to 120 minutes, and the therapy was added to routine care that could include companion, joint housing, shower, lombossacral massage, breathing exercises, Swiss/exercise ball, freedom of movement, and oxytocin, prostaglandins or amniotomy, so the contribution of auriculotherapy cannot be separated from those co-interventions.