The effect of auricular acupressure on sexual functioning among postmenopausal women: a randomized sham controlled trial

Alimoradi, Z, Marznaki, ZH, Hakimi, MH, Oleson, T and Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2025. The effect of auricular acupressure on sexual functioning among postmenopausal women: a randomized sham controlled trial. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 76: 102451. ISSN 1876-3820

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Abstract

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is one of the common complaints of postmenopausal women. The present study investigated the effect of ear acupressure on sexual functioning (the primary outcome) and sexual distress (the secondary outcome) among postmenopausal women.

Methods: A randomized, sham-controlled triple-blinded trial was conducted from June 2022 to January 2023 among postmenopausal women recruited from urban comprehensive health centers in Qazvin, Iran. Ninety postmenopausal women were randomly assigned (1:1) to auricular acupressure or sham control group using a balanced block randomization method. The intervention was 10 sessions of ear acupressure (at four-day intervals) using adhesives containing vaccaria seeds. The sham intervention was identical except for the use of special non-latex adhesives but without the Vaccaria seeds. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were assessed three times: before intervention, one month after intervention, and two months after intervention.

Results: Auricular acupressure significantly increased the mean score on the FSFI in the intervention group compared to the sham group (adjusted mean difference of 5.12 [95% CI: 3.39; 6.85] in first follow-up, and 10.17 [95% CI: 7.71; 12.63]) in second follow-up. There was a significant decrease in the mean score on the ASEX (decreased scores indicate better sexual experience) and FSD in the intervention group compared to the sham group in first and second follow-up. These changes were also clinically significant. No adverse events were reported during the intervention or the follow-ups.

Conclusion: Among postmenopausal women, auricular acupressure appears to be an effective intervention in improving sexual functioning, as well as reducing sexual distress.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	European Journal of Integrative Medicine
Creators:	Alimoradi, Z., Marznaki, Z.H., Hakimi, M.H., Oleson, T. and Griffiths, M.D.
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date:	June 2025
Volume:	76
ISSN:	1876-3820
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102451 DOI 2429206 Other
Rights:	© 2025. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	23 Apr 2025 10:40
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 10:04
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/53439

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