Impacto da auriculoterapia na qualidade de vida e na sintomatologia de pacientes em tratamento oncológico

Abstract

Goal: to investigate the effects of Auriculotherapy in the quality of life and in the symptomatology of patients on oncologic treatment, and to present reports of its benefits. Methodology: experimental study, quali-quantitative, in which four sessions of auriculotherapy with seeds were applied, weekly for one month, in oncologic patients undergoing treatment in the municipality of Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The patients were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire and the SF- 36 quality of life questionnaire, and individual prospects of the participants were evaluated through a field journal. Results: nine individuals participated in the study, distributed on intervention group (n=6) and control group (n=3) with complaints related to pain, stress, insomnia, nausea, vomits and constipation. Intervention group obtained a significant improvement (p=0.026) of QV, while control group showed worsening. Specific points of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire as pain and physical aspect also presented improvement (p<0.05) for intervention group and worsening for the control group. Individuals who applied auriculotherapy reported bettering of initial complaints. Conclusion: auriculotherapy is a viable technique, easy to apply and of low cost, which can assist on oncologic treatment aiming to improve the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment.