Stress and Anxiety
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the study is to evaluate whether auricular stimulation (percutaneous sensory stimulation of cranial nerves) as compared vs. no intervention (waiting list) reduces stress and anxiety in health care providers, working at the time of COVID-19 pandemic at the University Medicine of Greifswald.
Interventions
Auricular "acupuncture-like" stimulation (percutaneous sensory stimulation of cranial nerves)
Sponsors
University Medicine Greifswald
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Prospective investigation during 15 weeks of treatment for each participant with "waiting list" control group (no intervention). Waiting group will receive the intervention (auricular stimulation) after 15 weeks of investigation.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Medical care workers at the University Medicine of Greifswald 2. Experiencing stress and anxiety in connection with COVID-19 pandemic 3. Participants without previous anxiolytic medication 4. Ability to understand and fill in the structured questionnaire (Appendix D \& E) 5. Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
1. Recidivist alcoholics 2. Local auricular skin infection 3. Pregnant or lactating women 4. Participants with prosthetic or damaged cardiac valves and mitral valve prolaps (risk of bacterial endocarditis according to guidelines of AHA) 5. Participants who are unable to understand the consent form 6. History of psychiatric disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 15 weeks of investigation | State anxiety |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Trait anxiety | Before and after 15 weeks of intervention application |
| Sleep quality | 15 weeks of investigation |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed