Effectiveness of Auriculotherapy and Flower Therapy in the management of anxiety and sleep quality in university students: crossover study

• Grant number: 23/11028-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: January 01, 2024 - December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Dalvani Marques
• Grantee: Dalvani Marques
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Enfermagem. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Suzimar de Fátima Benato

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in cases and levels of anxiety and stress was observed, with worsening sleep quality with changes in its patterns in university students, due to the insecurity of the pandemic scenario and teaching in the virtual environment. Such situations triggered an increase in the consumption of drugs, such as anxiolytics and mood stabilizers for the management of anxiety and stress, as well as sleep inducers, among others, in cases of sleep disorders, which still persist with the return to face-to-face activities and the college routine. Given this scenario, other non-pharmacological options are possible, such as Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS), specifically Auriculotherapy and Floral Therapy. The general objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of auriculotherapy and floral therapy in the management of anxiety and in the promotion and maintenance of sleep quality in university students. The study will be carried out through a clinical crossover study (crossover), randomized with university students who have symptoms of anxiety and changes in sleep patterns. Participants will be divided into two groups, one group will start with Auriculotherapy sessions and the other group will use Bach Flower Remedies for 4 weeks. Then, the interventions will be reversed, ensuring that all participants perform the two integrative practices with simple randomization, with two groups of interventions, Auriculotherapy and Flower Therapy. Both groups will be submitted to both interventions and the scales from the Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used before and after each intervention. The collected data will be stored in an Excel database and statistically analyzed for comparison between groups. The description of qualitative variables will be done by calculating frequencies and percentages. And for the quantitative variables measures of central tendency and dispersion will be calculated. Comparisons between groups and times regarding anxiety levels and sleep quality will be performed using linear regression models, via GEE modeling - Generalized estimating equations. The results will show the obtained estimates of the mean difference, as well as their respective confidence intervals and values. The research is expected to present scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Auriculotherapy and Flower Therapy as a viable, safe and effective therapy for managing anxiety and improving sleep quality. (AU)