Abstract
Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture in reducing anxiety levels in college students when compared to placebo. Methods: Forty volunteers were randomized into two groups: Auriculotherapy with seeds following the protocol for Anxiety (G1) and Placebo (G2). The groups were followed for six weeks, with weekly applications of auriculoacupuncture, and answered the Trait Anxiety Inventory (IDATE-T) when starting the first session and the State Anxiety Inventory (IDATE-E) in the first and last sessions. Results: G1 participants obtained a mean IDATE-T score of 46.45 points, while the initial and final IDATE-E were 45.76 and 37.05, respectively. G2 obtained the values of 49.3 for the IDATE-T, 44.3 and 43.3 for the initial and final IDATE-E. The Wilcoxon sign-point test demonstrated statistical significance for the reduction of anxiety scores in G1, which was not observed in G2. Conclusion: The study quantified the anxiety scores in the university student population and the possibility of reducing them from the auriculoacupuncture therapeutic proposal. Reduction in anxiety scores was observed in participants of the groups studied, however, when results were compared, there was statistical significance only in the group with protocol for anxiety.