Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2019 Aug;28(3):148-155. 10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.3.148.

Health Problems in Clinical Nurses as Identified by Auricular Acupuncture Points

• Chun Y

• KMID: 2457217
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.3.148

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify health problems in clinical nurses through an examination of their auricular acupuncture points.
METHODS
Data were collected from 90 nurses working in D city. Participants' ears were photographed and their auricular points were analyzed. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and the χ2 test.
RESULTS
Musculoskeletal problems were the most severe, followed by problems of the digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems, in that order. Furthermore, the average number of health problems was 5.22, with a range of 4 to 6. Leg/foot pain was the highest reported musculoskeletal problem, followed by shoulder and lumbar/back pain. Gastric ptosis was the highest reported digestive problem, followed by indigestion and hypersensitive colitis. Additionally, among participants with gastric ptosis, lumbar pain was significantly high.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that further research using an auricular points as a diagnosis and treatment point is necessary to improve the health of nurses.

Keyword

Ear auricles; Acupuncture points; Health; Nurses

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture, Ear*
Colitis
Diagnosis
Dyspepsia
Ear
Ear Auricle
Shoulder
Statistics as Topic