To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized protocol of auricular therapy using magnetic pearls on sleep promotion in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of adopting a standardized protocol of auricular therapy using magnetic pearls on sleep promotion in the elderly.METHODS: Sixty eligible participants were invited to receive a 3-week auricular therapy using magnetic pearls (@66 Gauss). Seven auricular points (Shenmen, Heart, Kidney, Liver, Spleen, Subcortex, Occiput) which are thought to have an effect on promoting sleep in the elderly were selected.RESULTS: Significant improvement in the sleep efficiency (SE) collected by wrist actigraphy was observed before, during and after treatment course (P<0.01). The overall effective rate in insomnia with different TCM syndrome types ranged from 66.7% to 90.9% (average 81.7%). No significant difference in the effect of the therapy in terms of SE could be observe between clients with excessive or deficiency syndrome even when the treatment protocol was standardized (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: A standardized protocol of auricular therapy using magnetic pearls for sleep improvement might be appropriate for the ageing population who are homogeneous in terms of age and general health status.