Anxiety
Conditions
Interventions
This is a parallel, triple-blind, superiority randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants will be randomized into two parallel groups: Experimental Group (EG - number of part
Sponsors
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Eligibility
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Professionals presenting with moderate or high levels of compassion fatigue, and symptoms of anxiety, stress, and/or depression as assessed by the Professional Quality of Life Scale-BR (ProQol-BR) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), respectively; with scheduling availability to undergo the assessments and treatment sessions; who accept random allocation into the study groups; of both genders; and aged 18 years or older.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Retired professionals (even if they have previously worked in the studied area) and/or those on leave from their work activities regardless of duration and reason; those presenting with ear piercings, except in the earlobe; a history of photosensitivity; lesion, inflammation, deformity, or tattoo on the ear; a history of skin cancer in the head and neck region; use of hearing aids; use of chemical peels (retinoic acid, retinol, Vitanol-A, tretinoin, isotretinoin) and/or Rocutan® (Isotretinoin) up to six months prior to the start of treatment, as they are photosensitizing; immunocompromised individuals; epilepsy; use of a cardiac pacemaker; pregnant or lactating individuals; rejection of or fear of receiving the technique; and undergoing any Complementary and Integrative Practice concurrently with the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| A reduction in compassion fatigue is expected at the end of five weeks of treatment with active or placebo laser auricular acupuncture, assessed using the ProQol-BR (Professional Quality of Life Scale-BR), based on a change of at least 1 point between pre- and post-intervention measurements. The scale is composed of 28 items divided into three factors. The scale is subdivided into two parts: the first comprising factors that define compassion satisfaction (CS), and the second, compassion fatigue (CF). CF is assessed by 13 items and is linked to negative factors of tension and stress, characterized as "emotional contagion" due to compassionate care. Within this section, 3 items are related to emotional exhaustion—identified by fatigue, lack of motivation, exhaustion, and overload, indicating Burnout—and 10 items indicate secondary traumatic stress (STS). The items are measured using a five-point Likert scale ranging from zero (never) to five (almost always), with the zero option scored as null in the final sum. The final (continuous) score is obtained by summing the respective items, resulting in continuous scores ranging from 0 to 65 points. Participants scoring at or above the 75th percentile on the Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress subscales will be classified as having compassion fatigue, thereby belonging to the group with the highest levels of these indicators. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| It is expected to find an increase in the tension threshold in the trapezius muscle, at the end of five weeks of treatment with auricular acupuncture with needles or with laser, from the verification of a variation of at least 5% in the pre- and post-intervention measurements. The tension threshold of the trapezius muscle will be assessed using a pressure algometer (digital dynamometer model DDK, microprocessed, for traction and compression testing - Kratos®), with a capacity of 20 kilograms-force, which is a device designed to quantify and to document the levels of pain sensitivity and tolerance through pressure stimulation. The method measures the responsiveness of peripheral nociceptors, through the pressure applied to the surfaces where they are located; this pressure is directly related to the applied force (weight) and indirectly related to the squared stimulated area. Thus, the results are expressed in Kilopascal or Kilogram/cm2. For this evaluation, a stimulation surface with a flat probe tip of 2 cm in diameter will be used. The participant will be positioned sitting on a chair, with the back supported and arms extended along the body. A constant and progressive stimulus will be performed at four specific points (descending trapezius muscles at the level of the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae, bilaterally; and midpoint of the descending trapezius muscles, between the acromions and the 7th cervical vertebrae, bilaterally), by the same examiner, in all phases of the study. The participant will be instructed to press the interruption cable as he feels that the mechanical stimulus (pressure) has turned into a painful stimulus; then, the value marked on the device, referred to as the nociceptive threshold latency, will be recorded.;An improvement in psychotropic medication use is expected at the end of five weeks of treatment with active or placebo laser auricular acupuncture, based on a variation of at least 5% between pre- and post-intervention measurements. To | — |
Countries
BR
Contacts
Public ContactThamara Duarte
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Outcome results
None listed