Introduction: Anxiety and depression are common among patients enrolled in psychiatric outpatient care. Ear Acupuncture is an alternative form of treatment that has been shown to relieve anxiety and depression in previous studies. Aim: To evaluate ear acupuncture as a group treatment for depression and anxiety Method: A psychiatric outpatient clinic has been offering group treatments with ear acupuncture for anxiety and depression for 5 weeks. Participants of the study have answered self-rating scales Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Sheehan Disability scale before and after the treatment period. Material was collected in the period 2008-2012 and has been analyzed in SPSS. Results: Data from 31 patients were included in the study. The results from the study showed a significant difference, between the measurements before and after treatment, with a reduction of the average values in the three different scales. Summary: From this study, it is difficult to draw any conclusions about the effect of ear acupuncture. More studies in this area is needed to be able to draw any conclusions. Keywords: Acupuncture, anxiety, auricular acupuncture, depression, psychiatric. / Introduktion: Ångest och depression är vanligt förekommande bland patienter inskrivna i psykiatrisk öppenvård. Öronakupunktur är en alternativ behandlingsform som visat sig lindra ångest och depression enligt flera tidigare utförda studier. Syfte: Utvärdering av öronakupunktur som gruppbehandling vid ångest och depression Metod: En psykiatrisk öppenvårdsmottagning har erbjudit gruppbehandlingar med öronakupunktur mot ångest och depression under 5 veckor. Deltagarna har svarat på självskattningsskalorna Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory och Sheehans funktionskala före respektive efter behandlingsperioden. Material är insamlat mellan 2008-2012, vilket har analyserats med hjälp av SPSS. Resultat: Data från 31 patienter inkluderades i studien. Efter behandling visades en signifikant skillnad med en sänkning av medelvärdena i de tre olika skalorna. Slutsats: Utifrån denna studie är det svårt att dra några slutsatser angående öronakupunkturens effekt. Mer studier inom området är önskvärt. Nyckelord: Acupuncture, anxiety, auricular acupuncture, depression, psychiatric.

Orientador: Evanisi Teresa Palomari / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T18:15:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Politti_Fabiano_D.pdf: 862982 bytes, checksum: e7f128f64db3385d3565211be8cbaf2e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Os avanços nos conhecimentos em neurofisiologia permitiram definir que a acupuntura é um método de estimulação neural periférica, que provoca respostas reflexas, locais e sistêmicas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a eletromiografia de superfície pode ser utilizada como ferramenta de estudo da ação da acupuntura auricular (AA) sobre o músculo estriado esquelético e se a AA interfere na freqüência do sinal eletromiográfico (EMG) do músculo. Assim, foi analisado a amplitude sinal EMG normalizado das porções clavicular, acromial e escapular do músculo deltóide e da porção descendente do músculo trapézio com 20%, 40% e 60% da contração voluntária máxima, em 15 indivíduos voluntários saudáveis, após o tratamento com AA. A freqüência média do sinal EMG foi obtida do músculo trapézio descendente. Na coleta dos dados foi utilizado um eletromiógrafo de 8 canais com freqüência de amostragem de 1.33 kHz. Para verificar a diferenças entre os valores em RMS (root mean square) obtidos por meio de janela móvel de 200 ms, foi utilizado o teste de Friedman. Nos casos em que os resultados se apresentaram significantes o teste de Wilcoxon foi utilizado para comparações múltiplas. O nível de significância adotado foi de p < 0,05 e para as comparações Nesse estudo concluiu-se que a eletromiografia de superfície pode ser utilizada como ferramenta na análise dos efeitos da AA sobre a atividade do músculo e que o método utilizado para gravar o sinal EMG pode influenciar os resultados. Além disso, a AA pode atuar como mecanismo modulador da atividade do músculo, determinando o numero de unidades motoras recrutadas e a sua média da freqüência de disparo de acordo com o nível de força adotada durante uma tarefa realizada com contração isométrica / Abstract: The advancement of knowledge in neurophysiology has demonstrated that acupuncture is a method of peripheral neural stimulation that promotes local and systemic reflexive responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if surface electromyography can be used as a tool to study the action of auricular acupuncture (AA) on the striated skeletal muscle and if auricular acupuncture interferes with the frequency of the EMG signal of the muscle. The EMG amplitudes of the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle and the upper trapezium muscle with 20%, 40% and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of 15 healthy volunteers, were analyzed after the individuals were submitted to the AA treatment. The median frequency (MF) surface electromyography (EMG) recordings were obtained from the upper trapezius muscle. The nonparametric Friedman test was used to compare Root Mean Square (RMS) values estimated by using a 200 ms moving window. Significant results were further analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. In this exploratory study, the level of significance of each comparison was set to p < 0,05. It was concluded in this study that a surface EMG can be used as a tool to investigate possible alterations of electrical activity in muscles after AA, however there is still a lack of adequate methodology for its use in this type of study, being that the method used to record the EMG signal can also influence the results. The AA peripheral stimulus can act as a modulator mechanism of muscle activity, as a result of the number of motor units recruited and their mean discharge frequency of excitation according to the level of force adopted during a task carried out with isometric contraction / Doutorado / Anatomia / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is the most effective treatment for insomnia. Studies show that auricular acupuncture (AA) may alleviate insomnia symptoms. The overall aim of the thesis was to compare treatment effects of auricular acupuncture (AA) with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) on symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, depression, hypnotic drugs consumption and quality of life from short- and long-term perspectives. Paper I had a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. 16 participants received group-treatment with AA during their protracted withdrawal phase and were interviewed about their experiences. They participants experienced a reduction in protracted withdrawal symptoms, improved subjective sleep quality, a strong sensation of peacefulness and increased wellbeing. Paper II, III and IV present results from a randomised controlled trial in where the effects of group-treatment with AA and CBT-i were compared in short- and long-term using subjective (questionnaires and sleep diary) and objective (actigraphy) measurements. The results showed that CBT-i was superior to AA in reducing insomnia symptoms in both the short and long run. Both groups experienced significant long-term reduction of depressive symptoms. Further, both groups managed to maintain a decreased intake of hypnotic drugs at the end of the treatment when compared to baseline measurement. Short-term reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression improved only in the AA group. The results from the objective actigraph recordings showed that the AA group slept more and the CBT-i group less after the treatment and that sleep patterns in both groups reverted to pre-treatment levels after 6 months. Conclusively: AA, as administered in this study, was not as good as CBT-i in treating insomnia symptoms, and should not be used as a stand-alone treatment for insomnia. Our results also demonstrate that prolonged sleep time does not necessarily yield better sleep, and that the perception of insomnia symptoms is not inevitably affected by sleep duration. AA was as effective as CBT-i in ending hypnotic drugs consumption. Moreover, AA was more successful than CBT-i in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in the short run. Further studies investigating AA for anxiety and depression are motivated.

Submitted by FLORA TOLENTINO null (flora_tolentino.fisio@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-09T18:07:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ Flora Tolentino.pdf: 1546342 bytes, checksum: 1867d24db059f63199c690474de8f811 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-03-10T18:27:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tolentino_f_me_rcla.pdf: 1546342 bytes, checksum: 1867d24db059f63199c690474de8f811 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-10T18:27:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tolentino_f_me_rcla.pdf: 1546342 bytes, checksum: 1867d24db059f63199c690474de8f811 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-24 / Introduction: Low back pain affects much of the world population and may cause, in addition to pain, decrease of functional capacity and lumbar mobility. One way to treat low back pain is the auricular acupuncture technique that uses the ear to treat various diseases. Objectives: To verify if there was a reduction of pain symptoms and increase of the functionality and lumbar mobility in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain after having undergone a treatment with auriculartherapy, and see if there was a difference between the intervention performed with needles and seeds. Methods: Randomized clinical trial with participants from 18 to 60 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain for at least three months, of both sexes, divided into three groups, needle (n = 8), seed (n = 8) and control (n = 6). The needle and seed groups received four sessions with auriculartherapy, one per week, all in the same auricular points, and the control group received no intervention until the end of treatment with the experimental groups. For the evaluation of pain variables, functionality and lumbar mobility, it was used in all groups the instruments Visual Analogue Scale, Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale Questionnaire, Sit-to-Stand-Test and Schober Test in the first week and after four weeks. The tests used for data analysis were Two Way ANOVA repeated measures, paired t-test and ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post hoc, with significance level of 5% (p0.05). Results and discussion: It was found that there was a significant difference for the EVA variables (p=0.001), QILQ (p=0.003) and TSP (p=0.033), indicating that there was a decrease in pain and an increase in functionality after treatment in the experimental groups, and no difference was found in the lumbar mobility after treatment. No difference between the treatment carried out with needles and seeds (p=0.641), demonstrating that both treatments were favorable for the reduction of pain without superiority of the two. Conclusion: Auriculotherapy, both with needles and with seeds, is an intervention that has proved beneficial for reduction of chronic low back pain and increasing function in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. / Introdução: A lombalgia acomete grande parte da população mundial, podendo provocar, além da dor, diminuição da capacidade funcional e da mobilidade lombar. Uma das formas de tratamento da dor lombar é a auriculoterapia, técnica de acupuntura que utiliza o pavilhão auricular para tratar diversas enfermidades. Objetivos: Verificar se houve diminuição do quadro álgico e aumento da funcionalidade e mobilidade lombar em indivíduos com lombalgia crônica inespecífica após terem sido submetidos a um tratamento com auriculoterapia, além de verificar se houve diferença entre a intervenção realizada com agulhas e sementes. Métodos: Estudo clínico randomizado, com participantes de 18 a 60 anos portadores de dor lombar crônica inespecífica há pelo menos três meses, de ambos os sexos, divididos em três grupos, agulha (n=8), semente (n=8) e controle (n=6). Os grupos agulha e semente receberam quatro sessões com auriculoterapia, uma por semana, todos nos mesmos pontos auriculares, e o grupo controle não recebeu intervenção até o término do tratamento com os grupos experimentais. Para a avaliação das variáveis dor, funcionalidade e mobilidade lombar, foram utilizados em todos os grupos os instrumentos Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), Questionário de incapacidade lombar de Quebec (QILQ), Teste de Sentado para de Pé (TSP) e Teste de Schober, na primeira semana e após quatro semanas. Os testes usados para análise dos dados foram ANOVA Two Way medidas repetidas, Teste t pareado e ANOVA com post hoc de Bonferroni, com nível de significância de 5% (p0,05). Resultados e discussão: Foi verificado que houve uma diferença significativa para as variáveis EVA (p=0,001), QILQ (p=0,003) e TSP (p=0,033), indicando assim que houve uma diminuição na dor e um aumento da funcionalidade após o tratamento nos grupos experimentais, e não foi encontrada diferença na mobilidade lombar após a terapêutica. Não houve diferença entre o tratamento realizado com agulhas e com sementes (p=0,641), o que demonstra que ambos os tratamentos foram favoráveis para a redução da dor, sem superioridade de um dos dois. Conclusão: A auriculoterapia, tanto com agulhas quanto com sementes, é uma intervenção que demonstrou ser benéfica para diminuição da dor lombar crônica e para o aumento da funcionalidade em indivíduos com dor lombar crônica inespecífica.

Four interrelated studies on drug users in prison are presented within the framework of a proposed model for approaching the enhancement of health for persons that builds on an existential view of prisoners’ needs, as well as the risk management and “good lives” perspectives. Risk management is the major focus in current offender rehabilitation based on research on “what works,” which has shown that focusing treatment on risk factors termed “criminogenic needs,” such as impulsivity, poor family relations and drug abuse, reduces recidivism by 10-15 percentage points. The “good lives” perspective proposes that offender rehabilitation should go beyond risk management and also address non-criminogenic needs such as autonomy, relatedness and competence as foundations for building personally meaningful lives. Study I explores the assessment of drug use problems, and describes the psychometric evaluation of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), a newly developed 11-item test for quick screening of drug-related problems. Studies II-IV explore treatment for offenders in prison identified as drug users. Study II is a randomized controlled trial of two auricular acupuncture treatments for men and women in prison, inconclusive with regard to point specificity but showing that participants in both groups reported reduced symptoms of discomfort and improved night-time sleep. Study III evaluates the Reasoning &amp; Rehabilitation program, an internationally widespread cognitive-behavioral program for groups of offenders. Results showed significant pro-social short-term changes in sense of coherence, impulsivity and attitudes towards the criminal justice system, as well as a 25% lower risk of reconviction among program completers compared to matched controls. However, the quasi-experimental nature of the study precludes any certainty regarding program effects; a selection bias whereby more motivated program participants are recruited could explain the findings. Study IV is a pilot project exploring the special needs of a subgroup of drug-using inmates with psychiatric and/or violent co-morbidity. Inmates housed in psychiatric prison units were offered long-term auricular acupuncture treatment. Half of the 22 inmates in the study received treatment twice a week for over eight weeks, and those treated over 25 times had lower psychopharmacological medication levels than untreated controls. Studies I-IV address individual facets of a proposed model for enhancing health among drug users in prison. The health enhancement model approaches offender rehabilitation from perspectives of existential psychology, good lives and risk management. Specific definitions of physical, social, psychological/personal and spiritual needs indicate a framework according to which prison treatment can help drug-using offenders find ways to secure healthy need satisfaction.

Introdução: A equipe de Enfermagem em hospitais tem sido exposta a ambientes de trabalho estressantes, submetidos, muitas vezes, à condições de trabalho precárias, com baixa qualidade de vida. A auriculoterapia chinesa apresentou eficácia em estudo preliminar para redução de estresse com um protocolo escolhido com base na Medicina Tradicional Chinesa(MTC) e este Ensaio Clínico se propôs a avaliar a eficácia e o alcance da técnica quando é aplicada com e sem protocolo fechado. Objetivos: Descrever e investigar os níveis de estresse da equipe de Enfermagem do Hospital Samaritano; Comparar a eficácia da auriculoterapia chinesa realizada com e sem protocolo, descrever os principais diagnósticos de MTC para estresse e a eficácia dos pontos escolhidos. Material e Método: Na primeira fase, 484 profissionais responderam a um questionário de dados sócio-demográficos e à Lista de Sintomas de Stress de Vasconcellos(LSS). Foram incluídos aqueles com pontuação entre 37 a 119 pontos (médio e alto estresse). Randomizaram-se 213 pessoas em 3 grupos (controle, grupo protocolo e grupo sem protocolo); 175 finalizaram o tratamento de 12 sessões de auriculoterapia com agulha semipermanente, duas vezes por semana, por seis semanas. O protocolo de pontos utilizado foi: ponto Rim, Tronco Cerebral, Shenmen e Yang do Fígado 1 e 2. Os instrumentos de Coleta de dados no Ensaio Clínico foram a LSS, o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress da Lipp (ISSL), o Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida (SF36v2), uma Ficha de diagnósticos de MTC. O período de coleta foi de novembro de 2011 a julho de 2012 e sete acupunturistas participaram do estudo. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da EEUSP e do Hospital. Resultados: Na primeira fase, a pontuação média de estresse de 484 profissionais foi de 45,92 (nível médio). Os que apresentaram níveis mais elevados de estresse foram: as enfermeiras (p=0,012), profissionais do turno da manhã (p=0,022) e sujeitos com doenças auto referidas (p=0,001). Na segunda fase, os dois grupos de intervenção obtiveram diferenças estatísticas significativas quando comparadas ao grupo controle (p<0,05), com efeito superior para o grupo sem protocolo segundo a LSS no pós-tratamento e follow-up. Quanto ao ISSL, houve melhores resultados para o grupo sem protocolo para a fase de resistência/quase exaustão e domínio psicológico da fase de alerta. Quanto ao SF36v2, houve diferença estatística (p<0,05) somente para o grupo sem protocolo quanto ao domínio físico no follow-up. No domínio mental, ambos os grupos de intervenção obtiveram resultados positivos(p<0,05), com ligeira superioridade para o grupo sem protocolo quanto ao índice d de Cohen. Os principais diagnósticos de MTC foram: Estagnação de Qi e Xue nos meridianos tendino-musculares, Calor de Estômago e Subida de Yang do Fígado, Estagnação de Qi do Fígado, Distúrbio de Shen, Deficiência de Yin do Rim, Deficiência de Qi e Xue do Baço-Pâncreas. Os pontos mais utilizados foram os cinco pontos do protocolo somados a Estômago, Baço e pontos de dor. Conclusão: o grupo sem protocolo obteve melhores resultados para redução de estresse e melhoria de qualidade de vida, demonstrando que a auriculoterapia chinesa quando feita de forma individualizada / Introduction: Hospitals Nursing Team have been exposed to highly stressful work environment and submitted many times to precarious work conditions and thus low quality of life. Chinese auricular therapy has presented efficiency in a preliminary study to reduce stress by a selected protocol based on Chinese Traditional Medicine (MTC). This Clinical Trial is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness and reach of the technique whenever this is applied with or without a closed protocol. Objectives: Describe and investigate the stress levels of Samaritano Hospitals Nursing Team; Compare the effectiveness of Chinese Auricular Therapy performed with or without protocol; Describe the main diagnosis of MTC for stress and efficiency of the selected points. Material and Method: On the first phase, 484 professionals answered to a questionnaire containing demographic social data and to the Vasconcelos List of Stress Symptoms (LSS). Those ones with score between 37 and 119 points (average and high stress) were included. 213 people were randomized in 3 groups (control, protocol group and group without protocol); 175 ended a 12-session auricular therapy treatment with semi-permanent ear needles twice a week for six weeks. The scoring protocol used was: Kidney point, Brain stern point, Shenmen and Yang of the Liver 1 and 2. The instruments for the data collection in the Clinical Trial were LSS, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory (ISSL), Instrument of Life Quality (SF36v2), MTC diagnosis chart. The period of data collection was between November 2011 and July 2012 and seven acupuncturists participated in the trial. This study was approved by the School and Hospital Ethical Committee on Clinical Trial. Results: On the first phase, the average scoring of stress was of 45,92 (average level of stress). The professionals that presented higher stress levels were: nurses (p=0,012), morning shift professionals (p=0,022) and subjects with self-referred diseases (p=0,001). On the second phase, the two intervention groups presented differences once compared with the control group (p<0,05), with higher effect in the group without protocol according to LSS in the after treatment and follow-up. Regarding ISSL, there were better results to without protocol group for resistance/quasi-exhaustion phase and physical domain of alert phase. In relation to SF36v2, there was statistics difference (p<0,05) only for the group without protocol in connection with physical dominance during follow-up. In mental dominance, both of intervention groups presented positive results (p<0,05), with an slight superior effect for the group without protocol as per Cohens index. The main MTC diagnosis was: Qi stagnation and Xue in the tendino-muscular meridians, Stomach Heat and Rising of Yang of the Liver, Qi stagnation of the Liver, Shen Disturbs, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Qi deficiency and Xue of Spleen-Pancreas. The mostly used points were the five ones of the protocol plus Stomach, Spleen and pain points. Conclusion: the group without protocol presented the best results for stress reduction and improvement of life quality, demonstrating that Chinese auricular therapy made in a personalized way broaden the reach of the technique.

Introdução: A equipe de Enfermagem em hospitais tem sido exposta a ambientes de trabalho estressantes, submetidos, muitas vezes, à condições de trabalho precárias, com baixa qualidade de vida. A auriculoterapia chinesa apresentou eficácia em estudo preliminar para redução de estresse com um protocolo escolhido com base na Medicina Tradicional Chinesa(MTC) e este Ensaio Clínico se propôs a avaliar a eficácia e o alcance da técnica quando é aplicada com e sem protocolo fechado. Objetivos: Descrever e investigar os níveis de estresse da equipe de Enfermagem do Hospital Samaritano; Comparar a eficácia da auriculoterapia chinesa realizada com e sem protocolo, descrever os principais diagnósticos de MTC para estresse e a eficácia dos pontos escolhidos. Material e Método: Na primeira fase, 484 profissionais responderam a um questionário de dados sócio-demográficos e à Lista de Sintomas de Stress de Vasconcellos(LSS). Foram incluídos aqueles com pontuação entre 37 a 119 pontos (médio e alto estresse). Randomizaram-se 213 pessoas em 3 grupos (controle, grupo protocolo e grupo sem protocolo); 175 finalizaram o tratamento de 12 sessões de auriculoterapia com agulha semipermanente, duas vezes por semana, por seis semanas. O protocolo de pontos utilizado foi: ponto Rim, Tronco Cerebral, Shenmen e Yang do Fígado 1 e 2. Os instrumentos de Coleta de dados no Ensaio Clínico foram a LSS, o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress da Lipp (ISSL), o Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida (SF36v2), uma Ficha de diagnósticos de MTC. O período de coleta foi de novembro de 2011 a julho de 2012 e sete acupunturistas participaram do estudo. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da EEUSP e do Hospital. Resultados: Na primeira fase, a pontuação média de estresse de 484 profissionais foi de 45,92 (nível médio). Os que apresentaram níveis mais elevados de estresse foram: as enfermeiras (p=0,012), profissionais do turno da manhã (p=0,022) e sujeitos com doenças auto referidas (p=0,001). Na segunda fase, os dois grupos de intervenção obtiveram diferenças estatísticas significativas quando comparadas ao grupo controle (p<0,05), com efeito superior para o grupo sem protocolo segundo a LSS no pós-tratamento e follow-up. Quanto ao ISSL, houve melhores resultados para o grupo sem protocolo para a fase de resistência/quase exaustão e domínio psicológico da fase de alerta. Quanto ao SF36v2, houve diferença estatística (p<0,05) somente para o grupo sem protocolo quanto ao domínio físico no follow-up. No domínio mental, ambos os grupos de intervenção obtiveram resultados positivos(p<0,05), com ligeira superioridade para o grupo sem protocolo quanto ao índice d de Cohen. Os principais diagnósticos de MTC foram: Estagnação de Qi e Xue nos meridianos tendino-musculares, Calor de Estômago e Subida de Yang do Fígado, Estagnação de Qi do Fígado, Distúrbio de Shen, Deficiência de Yin do Rim, Deficiência de Qi e Xue do Baço-Pâncreas. Os pontos mais utilizados foram os cinco pontos do protocolo somados a Estômago, Baço e pontos de dor. Conclusão: o grupo sem protocolo obteve melhores resultados para redução de estresse e melhoria de qualidade de vida, demonstrando que a auriculoterapia chinesa quando feita de forma individualizada / Introduction: Hospitals Nursing Team have been exposed to highly stressful work environment and submitted many times to precarious work conditions and thus low quality of life. Chinese auricular therapy has presented efficiency in a preliminary study to reduce stress by a selected protocol based on Chinese Traditional Medicine (MTC). This Clinical Trial is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness and reach of the technique whenever this is applied with or without a closed protocol. Objectives: Describe and investigate the stress levels of Samaritano Hospitals Nursing Team; Compare the effectiveness of Chinese Auricular Therapy performed with or without protocol; Describe the main diagnosis of MTC for stress and efficiency of the selected points. Material and Method: On the first phase, 484 professionals answered to a questionnaire containing demographic social data and to the Vasconcelos List of Stress Symptoms (LSS). Those ones with score between 37 and 119 points (average and high stress) were included. 213 people were randomized in 3 groups (control, protocol group and group without protocol); 175 ended a 12-session auricular therapy treatment with semi-permanent ear needles twice a week for six weeks. The scoring protocol used was: Kidney point, Brain stern point, Shenmen and Yang of the Liver 1 and 2. The instruments for the data collection in the Clinical Trial were LSS, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory (ISSL), Instrument of Life Quality (SF36v2), MTC diagnosis chart. The period of data collection was between November 2011 and July 2012 and seven acupuncturists participated in the trial. This study was approved by the School and Hospital Ethical Committee on Clinical Trial. Results: On the first phase, the average scoring of stress was of 45,92 (average level of stress). The professionals that presented higher stress levels were: nurses (p=0,012), morning shift professionals (p=0,022) and subjects with self-referred diseases (p=0,001). On the second phase, the two intervention groups presented differences once compared with the control group (p<0,05), with higher effect in the group without protocol according to LSS in the after treatment and follow-up. Regarding ISSL, there were better results to without protocol group for resistance/quasi-exhaustion phase and physical domain of alert phase. In relation to SF36v2, there was statistics difference (p<0,05) only for the group without protocol in connection with physical dominance during follow-up. In mental dominance, both of intervention groups presented positive results (p<0,05), with an slight superior effect for the group without protocol as per Cohens index. The main MTC diagnosis was: Qi stagnation and Xue in the tendino-muscular meridians, Stomach Heat and Rising of Yang of the Liver, Qi stagnation of the Liver, Shen Disturbs, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Qi deficiency and Xue of Spleen-Pancreas. The mostly used points were the five ones of the protocol plus Stomach, Spleen and pain points. Conclusion: the group without protocol presented the best results for stress reduction and improvement of life quality, demonstrating that Chinese auricular therapy made in a personalized way broaden the reach of the technique.