# Effectiveness of auricular laser acupuncture on anxiety, stress, sleep quality, fatigue and muscle tension of Psychosocial Care Center professionals: a quasi-experimental pilot study

## TL;DR

A pilot study found that auricular laser acupuncture improved anxiety, stress, and sleep in professionals at Psychosocial Care Centers, but had no significant effect on muscle tension.

## Contribution

This study is one of the first to evaluate auricular laser acupuncture's effects on multiple health outcomes in a psychosocial care workforce.

## Key findings

- Auricular laser acupuncture reduced anxiety, stress, and fatigue in professionals.
- Sleep latency improved, but muscle tension threshold remained unchanged.
- Participants reported high satisfaction with the treatment and minimal adverse effects.

## Abstract

to assess the effectiveness of auricular laser acupuncture in professionals from Psychosocial Care Centers regarding anxiety, stress, sleep quality, fatigue, trapezius muscle tension threshold, satisfaction with treatment and possible adverse reactions.

a quasi-experimental pilot study conducted with 24 professionals. Five auricular laser acupuncture sessions were performed. Data were collected at the beginning and end of treatment, and in a period of 15 days after the end (follow-up), analyzed by paired Wilcoxon test.

auricular laser acupuncture was effective in reducing levels of anxiety, stress, fatigue and improving sleep latency. There was no statistically significant difference in muscle tension threshold. Professionals were satisfied with treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was not significant.

auricular laser acupuncture triggered positive effects for all variables investigated, except for trapezius muscle tension threshold.

avaliar a efetividade da laser auriculoacupuntura em profissionais de Centros de Atenção Psicossocial quanto à ansiedade, estresse, qualidade do sono, fadiga, limiar de tensão do músculo trapézio, satisfação com o tratamento e possíveis reações adversas.

estudo piloto quase-experimental, realizado com 24 profissionais. Realizaram-se cinco sessões de laser ariculoacupuntura. Os dados foram coletados no início e no final do tratamento, e em um período de 15 dias após o encerramento (follow-up), analisados pelo teste de Wilcoxon emparelhado.

a laser auriculoacupuntura foi efetiva na redução dos níveis do estado de ansiedade, estresse, fadiga e melhora na latência do sono. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no limiar de tensão muscular. Os profissionais ficaram satisfeitos com o tratamento, e a ocorrência de reações adversas não foi expressiva.

a laser auriculoacupuntura desencadeou efeitos positivos para todas as variáveis investigadas, exceto limiar de tensão do músculo trapézio.