Traditional auriculotherapy for hypertension : a pilot randomized trial

Patients who are on anti-hypertensive therapy may not consistently achieve the recommended blood pressure (BP) level. Given this limitation of pharmacologic therapy, the exploration of non-invasive complementary methods along with conventional medicine for BP control is warranted. The aim of the present study was to identify an optimal protocol for the administration of auriculotherapy (AT) integrated with Western medication for a better control of hypertension. This preliminary study adopted a two-arm experimental design. We enrolled patients with uncontrolled mild hypertension. The subjects in the experimental group (Group A) received an integrative approach (AT supplementing Western medication). The subjects in the comparison group (Group B) received the same kind of pellets as that in Group A, but were additionally asked to press the pellets against the acupoints thrice daily. Mean arterial BP was used as the main measure of outcome in this study. No significant difference in the therapeutic effect was observed between groups in which the pressure was applied on the magnetic pellets or not. This study demonstrates that AT with magnetic pellets together with western medication has a positive outcome for uncontrolled mild hypertension.