Comparative study of the immediate stress-relieving effect of auriculotherapy with soft laser and needles (nada/battlefield) with respect to western and oriental medicine a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial

Background: Our research in 2015 verified the immediate stress-reduction effect of the NADA 5-point protocol with needles. Objective: The primary aim of the research was to discover whether the NADA 5-point ear acupuncture therapy with soft-laser (biostimulation) method has significant stress-reduction effects that can be verified regarding prolactin(PRL) and cortisol(CORT) levels, as well as to discover if that effect is stronger than the effects gained by informal talks in the control group. Our secondary goal was to research the placebo effect and also we tried to investigate into the importance of exact localization (of auricular points). That is why we compared our results with those of a Battlefield control group. (In effect it meant, comparison among specific and non-specific points.) Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Széchenyi Health Center in Budapest, Hungary. 110 patients were included in the study: 22 in an experimental test group and 88 in control groups (e.g. 4x22 persons). Volunteering students and workers aged 20–70 were included. Ear acupuncture treatment was performed on 5 points: Shen Men, Sympathetic, Kidney, Liver and Lung. Each blood sample was taken between 2 and 4 pm twice from the same person. The starting and ending points of the 12 main meridian pairs of the body were measured with the MeriDiM® screening device (SCR). Results: As a result of the soft laser 5-point acupuncture treatment, both stress hormone levels were reduced significantly, which verified the stress-reduction effect. Conclusions: It was possible to attain a significant stress-relieving effect by laser acupuncture proved by hormone levels (PRL, CORT) according to Western medicine, and by SCR (Skin Conductivity Response) as Oriental medicine goes. The results obtained by ’sham’ laser pointed out how important the healing attitudes and expectations of the healer are, as well as the patients’ hopeful behaviour regarding the outcome of the healing process.