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

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.