Effects of single-point acupuncture (HT7) in the prevention of test anxiety: Results of a RCT

Abstract

BackgroundThe number of students using neuro enhancement to improve their performance and to prevent test anxiety is increasing. The acupuncture point Heart 7 (HT7) has been described as being prominent in reducing states of anxiety.MethodsWe conducted a randomized placebo-controlled, two-armed pilot trial to investigate the efficacy of a single-point acupuncture treatment at bilateral HT7 compared to sham laser acupuncture on test anxiety. Test anxiety was induced applying the standardised protocol of the Trier Social Stress Test. Outcome measures included saliva samples analysed for cortisol and amylase, anxiety questionnaires and heart rate variability.ResultsTwenty-five male subjects (age 28 ± 5 years) were allocated to either verum acupuncture (n = 12) or sham laser acupuncture (n = 13). Cortisol peaked 20 min after the stress test (2-fold, 18.11 ± 2 nmol/l) and amylase 10 min after (2-fold, 259 ± 49 U/ml) with no difference between groups. There were no differences between groups regarding either anxiety questionnaires or physiological parameters. Compared to reference data (3-fold increase in cortisol), increase in stress hormones and heart rate seemed somewhat reduced.ConclusionsAcupuncture may be a possible approach for the treatment of anxiety. Due to the lack of a no control treatment group, we cannot determine the magnitude of possible specific needle effects at HT7 to promote specific effects in the neuroendocrine system. Finally this study only examines the efficacy of a single time treatment.

Open-label placebos reduce test anxiety and improve self-management skills: A randomized-controlled trial

“…For example, in Germany 13% of all first-year undergraduate students seek counseling services for test anxiety 3 . Anxiety in test situations has different facets, including affective (e.g., a nervous feeling of excitement), physiological (e.g., heart rate, sweating), motivational (e.g., avoidance tendencies) and cognitive components (e.g., concerns for failure) 4 . It has been shown that test anxiety weakens the ability to perform cognitively challenging tasks and reduces motivation, although test anxiety can also be beneficial for motivation, for example, when students try to avoid errors more rigorously 1 .…”

Clinical Events Associated with Acupuncture Intervention for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammation Associated Disorders

“…The results indicate that there was a reduction in stress hormones and heart rate compared to existing reference data. Changes in other parameters were not significant [59]. Both auricular acupuncture and placebo interventions reduced the exam anxiety in forty-four medical students of University Medicine of Greifswald, Germany.…”

Acupuncture Improves Comorbid Cognitive Impairments Induced by Neuropathic Pain in Mice

“…GB30 (at the junction of the lateral 1/3 and medial 2/3 of the greater trochanter with the sacral hiatus) and GB34 (in the depression anterior and distal to the head of the fibula) are combinations of acupoints that are utilized for the treatment of lumber neuropathic pain in the clinic (Cho et al, 2013; Ju et al, 2017). HT7 (radial to the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon on the palmar crease) and GV20 (on the vertex of the head) are combinations of acupoints frequently used for the treatment of cognitive and emotional impairments (Lee et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2016; Fleckenstein et al, 2018; Yu et al, 2018). The detailed locations of acupoints were shown in Figure 1A.…”