Ear acupuncture with laser and needles in the treatment of anxiety in university students: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ear acupuncture with laser and needles in the treatment of anxiety in university students in the post-pandemic context of Covid-19, as well as to evaluate the possible symptoms or adverse reactions triggered by the interventions.

Method: Randomized clinical trial carried out with 126 university students, allocated to the "Needle" (control) and "Laser" (experimental) groups. Five ear acupuncture sessions were performed. Assessments were performed before, after the end of treatment and seven days later (follow up), through the State Anxiety Inventory and the measurement of heart and respiratory rates. The Generalized Estimating Equations were used.

Results: There was a reduction in anxiety levels in both groups, between the initial and final assessments, and initial and follow up. There was no difference between the groups in the final and follow up. Heart rate decreased in the Needle group between the final and follow up, and initial and follow up assessments; the Laser group remained constant over time and the groups did not differ from each other between the end and follow up. There was no change over time in respiratory rate in either group and they did not differ from each other in the final and follow up assessments. There was a higher occurrence of adverse reactions in the group that received the intervention with needles, despite the mild intensity.

Conclusion: Both interventions were effective in reducing anxiety levels in university students. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry RBR-8cxnvr2.