METHODS: In this single-blind randomized parallel-group trial, a total of 114 medical students from Kermanshah, Iran, were allocated into two groups: intervention and control. Each group consisted of 57 students. The data collection instruments included a demographic information form and the Sarason Anxiety Inventory. In the intervention group, bilateral auricular acupressure was administered on the Shen Men point for a duration of 10 min. On the other hand, the control group received bilateral auricular acupressure on the Sham point, located in the earlobe, as a placebo, also for 10 min.
RESULTS: The mean test anxiety scores in the Shen Men acupressure group exhibited a significant reduction from 18.4 ± 5.3 before the intervention to 13.3 ± 4.8 after the intervention (P = 0.001). Conversely, in the Sham acupressure group, the mean test anxiety scores showed no significant change, with values of 16.36 ± 6.4 before the intervention and 16.4 ± 6.1 after the intervention (P = 0.963). Prior to the intervention, the majority of participants in both the intervention group (87.7%) and control group (86.0%) exhibited moderate to severe levels of test anxiety. Following acupressure, a significant improvement was observed in the intervention group, with 52.6% of participants experiencing a reduction to mild anxiety levels (P = 0.001); however, no notable change in anxiety levels was observed in the control group. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference in anxiety intensity after the intervention was found between the two groups (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Shen Men auricular acupressure demonstrates efficacy in reducing test anxiety among medical students. However, to validate its effectiveness, further research using objective measures is warranted.
方法:在这项单盲随机平行组试验中,共有114名来自克尔曼沙的医学生,伊朗,分为干预组和对照组。每个小组由57名学生组成。数据收集工具包括人口统计信息表和Sarason焦虑量表。在干预组中,对神门穴进行双侧耳穴贴压,持续10分钟。另一方面,对照组接受双侧耳穴贴压,位于耳垂,作为安慰剂,也是10分钟。
结果:神门穴位按摩组的平均测试焦虑评分从干预前的18.4±5.3显着降低到干预后的13.3±4.8(P=0.001)。相反,在假按摩组,平均考试焦虑分数没有显着变化,干预前16.36±6.4,干预后16.4±6.1(P=0.963)。在干预之前,干预组(87.7%)和对照组(86.0%)的大多数参与者都表现出中度至重度的考试焦虑.指压后,在干预组中观察到了显著的改善,52.6%的参与者经历了轻度焦虑水平的降低(P=0.001);然而,对照组的焦虑水平没有显著变化.此外,干预后两组焦虑强度差异有统计学意义(P=0.001).
结论:神门耳穴贴压显示出降低医学生考试焦虑的功效。然而,为了验证其有效性,使用客观措施进行进一步研究是必要的。