Body of Research

In a study to assess the immediate effects of auricular acupuncture on electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle and pain in non-specific neck pain patients, the immediate effect of auricular acupuncture interventions on the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle showed positive results. Abstract and link to full text at Hindawi. Reference:Andréia Cristina de Oliveira Silva, Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez, Douglas Meira dos Santos, et al., “Evaluation o...

Since the early part of the 20th century, electro therapy has been used to treat severe depression. With the advance of new devices — e.g. low-level current for neuronal stimulation via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and vagus as well as transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (VNS and tVNS) — the study and treatment of cognitive function in patients with epilepsy and major depression has had significant advance from early “shock therap...

Auricular acupuncture treatments have become increasingly available throughout a variety of healthcare settings, resulting from a push for the expansion of non-pharmacologic treatment options. Specifically in military treatment facilities, this has been the case for offering support to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study aimed to explore the self-reported benefits of auricular acupuncture treatments for veterans living with PTSD found positive improvement resulting fr...

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating Auricular Therapy for chronic pain management, showed promising results for relief. The full text can be requested via PubMed. Reference:Zhao HT, Tan JY, Wang T, Jin L. Auricular therapy for chronic pain management in adults: A synthesis of evidence. Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2015 May;21(2):68-78.

The palpation of the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS), also known as the Nogier reflex or Reflex Auriculo-Cardiac (RAC) is an important method used primarily in Auricular Medicine. This article presents a methodological approach for the detection and quantification of the VAS. View the paper. Reference:Litscher G, Bahr F, Litscher D, Min LQ, Hong PJ. A New Method in Auricular Medicine for the Investigation of the Nogier Reflex. Integr Med Int. 2014;1:205–210  

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a Food and Drug Administration approved somatic treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. In vivo VNS systems, however, are an option limited to patients who have failed to respond to multiple treatment options. Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) is a non-invasive method based on afferent/efferent vagus nerve distribution on the surface of the ear. The safe and low-cost characteristics of tVNS have the potential to significantly expand the clinical applicat...

In the context of an alarmingly high prevalence of albuminuria — rates indicating there will be 300 million diabetic patients in the year 2025 — this study assesses the effectiveness of simple, standardized protocol-based auricular acupressure for quality of life improvement in these patients with kidney disease. Results of this study indicated that auricular acupressure significantly helped patients with chronic kidney diseases to improve their quality of life outcomes.  Wang S, Chen Z,...

The NADA protocol is a nonverbal, evidence-based best practice intervention with immediate calming effects on patients, regardless of the specific substance used, or whether a coexisting psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed. Initial participation with this 5-point protocol improves involvement in the treatment process.  Read more for context and continuing education options for nursing and mental health professionals   Citation: Carter K, Olshan-Perlmutter M. NADA Protocol: Integrative ...

There are two types of strokes: (1) a severe type with loss of consciousness (involvement of the internal organs) and (2) a milder type with no loss of consciousness (involvement of the channels only). In both types, aphasia can be present. The effectiveness of acupuncture for addressing apoplectic aphasia has been shown in studies.[1,2] For auricular acupuncture, select from Brain, Adrenal Gland E, Adrenal Gland C, Point Zero, ShenMen, Master Cerebral, Sympathetic Autonomic Point, Endocrine ...

Through a systematic review of Medline and Embase databases, with the inclusion of four preclinical and five clinical studies on Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) and transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS), Shiozawa et. al. concluded that TNS and tVNS improve treatment of particular neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. See the details of the study that shows promising (even though mixed) results at SciELO Brasil.   Reference: Shiozawa P, Silva ME, Carvalho TC, Cord...

Low level laser has been used to reduce pain, inflammation and edema, to promote wound, deeper tissues and nerves healing, and to prevent tissue damage since the invention of lasers. Sherin Farivar and colleagues review proposed cellular mechanisms responsible for the effect of visible light on mammalian cells, including cytochrome c oxidase (with absorption peaks in the Near Infrared | NIR). Mitochondria are thought to be a likely site for the initial effects of light, leading to increased A...

Research into the clinical specificity of ear acupuncture points representing organs or structures of the body is ongoing. In this pilot study, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), researchers study point specificity using two auricular points having different topographical locations and clinical significance: stimulation of Thumb Auricular Acupoint (TAA) and stimulation of Brain Stem Auricular Acupoint (BSAA). The differences in activation patterns between TAA and BSAA stimula...