J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2020 Nov;27(4):323-332. 10.7739/jkafn.2020.27.4.323.

An Analytical Study on Research Trends in Auriculotherapy in Korea

• Kim M
• Chung E
• Jung MS

• KMID: 2511622
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2020.27.4.323

Abstract

Purpose
This study was done to analyze research articles and explore research trends in auriculotherapy between 2010 and 2019 in Korean academic journals.
Methods
Domestic databases including KMbase, RISS, KISS, and NDSL were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2019. Research trends were analyzed according to The STandards Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines including research design, control group type, and intervention details from a total of 78 domestic papers. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by frequency and percentage.
Results
Most studies were conducted in nursing. Regarding research design, a quasi-experimental design with a no-treatment control group was most common. There were 12 conditions with 4 participant categories. The most common intervention was four-point acupuncture-buried therapy. Interventions conducted weekly with cessation of 2 days for 6 weeks were popular. Regarding dropouts, few studies reported side-effects, with personal reasons being the most frequently reported. However, 50% of the studies failed to provide adequate information regarding intervention details according to the STRICTA guidelines, such as the practitioner background, ear point used for intervention, and a flow diagram.
Conclusion
Interventional studies on auriculotherapy have been steadily increasing and have included more diversified conditions. Future studies should investigate the effects of auriculotherapy with more rigorous design, and report more detailed information regarding interventions.

Keyword

Acupressure; Acupuncture; Ear; Intervention studies