Table 1 Auricular acupoints selected in our protocol (with location and function)
Group | Auricular acupoints | Anatomical location | Main function(s) according to TCM |
|---|---|---|---|
For the auricular acupressure group | Shenmen (TF4) | The upper part of the posterior 1/3 of the triangular fossa of auricle (a Area 4 of auricle triangular fossa) | Insomnia, abnormal sweating, pain, cough, asthma, vertigo, hypertension, allergy, withdrawal syndrome, epilepsy |
Pi (Spleen, CO13) | Below the BD line of the auricle and above the posterior part of the concha cavity (Concha 13 area of auricle) | Diarrhoea, abdominal distention, constipation, loss of appetite, functional uterine bleeding, excessive leucorrhea, inner ear vertigo, edema, visceral ptosis | |
Xin (Heart, CO15) | In the middle of the concha cavity of the auricle (concha 15 area of auricle) | Tachycardia, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, hysteria, sore tongue, palpitation, insomnia, forgetfulness | |
Pizhixia (Subcortex, AT4) | On the inner side of the opposite tragus of the auricle (zone 4 of the opposite tragus of the auricle) | Pain, neurasthenia, gastric ulcer, pseudomyopia, diarrhoea, hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, insomnia | |
Jiaogan (sympathetic, AH6a) | At the junction of the anterior segment of the lower foot of the opposite ear wheel of the auricle and the inner edge of the ear wheel (anterior segment of zone 6 of the opposite ear wheel) | Autonomic nervous function diseases, visceral pain | |
For the sham auricular acupressure group | Gangmen (Anus, HX5) | In front of the triangular fossa of the auricle (ear wheel area 5 of the auricle) | Haemorrhoids, anal fissure |
Niaodao (Urethra, HX3) | At the anterior and upper part of the protrusion of the foot of the auricle (ear wheel area 3 of the auricle) | Frequent urination, urgent urination, urinary pain, urinary retention | |
Helix 1 (HX9) | Below the tubercle of the auricle (ear wheel area 9 of the auricle) | Tonsillitis, upper respiratory tract infection, fever | |
Helix 2 (HX10) | Just below the Helix 1/ HX9 (ear wheel area 10 of the auricle) | ||
Helix 3 (HX11) | Just below the Helix 2/ HX10 (ear wheel area 11 of the auricle) |