J Menopausal Med.  2021 Dec;27(3):146-154. 10.6118/jmm.21008.

The Comparative Effect of Biofeedback and Auriculotherapy on Alleviating Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women: A Pilot Study

• Eslami S
• Mirzaee F
• Mirzaee M
• Valiani M
• Baniasadi H

• KMID: 2523749
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.21008

Abstract

Objectives
Menopause is associated with a plethora of problems particularly hot flashes. This study aims to compare the effect of biofeedback and auriculotherapy on hot flashes in menopausal women in Kerman, Iran.
Methods
This study, a pilot clinical trial with a pretest–posttest control group design, was conducted on 39 postmenopausal women referring to the private offices of obstetricians and gynecologists in Kerman, Iran, in 2019. The participants were divided into 3 groups (n = 13 in each group) using simple random assignment. In the first and second intervention groups, the biofeedback program and auriculotherapy were conducted by the researcher 10 times in 45- and 30-min sessions twice a week, respectively. In the control group, routine care was provided. The participants completed the checklist of severity and frequency of hot flashes before, immediately, and 4 weeks postintervention.
Results
Immediate and 4-week postintervention biofeedback and auriculotherapy had a significant effect on reducing the severity and frequency of hot flashes (P < 0.001). However, the effect of auriculotherapy on mitigating the severity and frequency of hot flashes immediately and 4-week postintervention was more significant than that of biofeedback (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Biofeedback and auriculotherapy may be effective in the treatment of hot flashes. Hence, they can be recommended as therapeutic methods for postmenopausal women.

Keyword

Auriculotherapy; Biofeedback; Hot flashes; Menopausal women