Effects of single-point acupuncture (HT7) in the prevention of test anxiety: Results of a RCT

PloS One
Johannes FleckensteinKarl-Peter Ittner

Abstract

The number of students using neuro enhancement to improve their performance and to prevent test anxiety is increasing. The acupuncture point Heart 7 (HT7) has been described as being prominent in reducing states of anxiety. We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled, two-armed pilot trial to investigate the efficacy of a single-point acupuncture treatment at bilateral HT7 compared to sham laser acupuncture on test anxiety. Test anxiety was induced applying the standardised protocol of the Trier Social Stress Test. Outcome measures included saliva samples analysed for cortisol and amylase, anxiety questionnaires and heart rate variability. Twenty-five male subjects (age 28 ± 5 years) were allocated to either verum acupuncture (n = 12) or sham laser acupuncture (n = 13). Cortisol peaked 20 min after the stress test (2-fold, 18.11 ± 2 nmol/l) and amylase 10 min after (2-fold, 259 ± 49 U/ml) with no difference between groups. There were no differences between groups regarding either anxiety questionnaires or physiological parameters. Compared to reference data (3-fold increase in cortisol), increase in stress hormones and heart rate seemed somewhat reduced. Acupuncture may be a possible approach for the treatment of anxiety. Due ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 17, 2019·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Jae-Hwan JangHi-Joon Park
Aug 14, 2019·Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies·Talita B de AlmeidaMaria L R Sousa

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Clinical Trials Mentioned

NCT02142231

Software Mentioned

Research Randomizer
TSST
Power

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