Effect of the Auriculotherapy on Dysmenorrhea in School-aged Girls

Park, Sang Youn

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was designed to identify the effect of auriculotherapy on low abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea in school-aged girls.
METHODS
This design was a pre and post-test with nonequivalent groups. The subjects were 71 girls who were middle school students with dysmenorrheal (35 students for the treatment group and 36 students for the comparison group). The subjects of the treatment group received auriculotherapy once a week for 10 weeks. The comparison group received instruction on auriculotherapy and was requested waiting for the order.
RESULTS
The treatment group reported significantly less low abdominal pain than the comparison group. However, there were not statistical differences in reported dysmenorrhea. In future analysis, 60.0% of the treatment group reported more physical comfort, and 45.7% reported more emotional cool down.
CONCLUSION
The finding indicate that auriculotherapy could be effective in decreasing low abdominal pain during menstrual periods. Therefore, auriculotherapy could be an effective nursing intervention for low abdominal pain occurring during mensuration. However, further studies need to be done to support auriculotherapy as effective.