Auricular Acupuncture Efficacy for Medical Students' Examination Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural human response when facing challenging circumstances or threats to oneself. It is highly prevalent, estimated to range from 3.8% to 25%. Anxiety significantly impacts daily life and the overall quality of life. Of particular concern is the potential for anxiety to increase cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, a higher incidence of heart disease, and premature mortality. Anxiety occurs in nearly everyone, but university students are particularly prone to experiencing anxiety and higher levels of mental stress compared to the general population. This trend is notably pronounced among medical students, a group with a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety that can reach as high as 90%. Multiple factors contribute to this anxiety and stress, notably the pressure of academic examinations. Several studies suggest that acupuncture not only positively affects anxiety but also has fewer side effects compared to pharmacological treatments. Among these, a form of acupuncture known as auricular acupuncture (AA) is considered safe and has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pre-surgical and dental anxiety. However, evidence supporting its effectiveness in reducing examination anxiety among medical students remains insufficient. Hence, in this study, we have designed a randomized controlled trial, including a placebo arm, to establish the efficacy and safety of AA in addressing this issue.