Laser Ear Acupuncture: How Much is Enough? A Prospective Observational Study on Laser Dosages Required in the Healing Patient During Posturology and During the Treatment of Mental Distress

Backgound: Every individual has his or her own energy requirements for optimal brain and body function. This study investigated ear acupuncture for two separate conditions: (1) mental distress and (2) postural problems. The vasculo-autonomic signal or Nogier sign (change in radial pulse amplitude) was used to identify the optimal dose of laser energy required at each session. Objective: The aim of this study was to record the optimal dosage of laser energy required per ear point per patient per session. Materials and Methods: Design: This was a single-arm, prospective observational study with before-and-after measurements. Setting: It was conducted in a primary care facility, the Roseville Wellness Group, in Roseville, Sydney, Australia. Patients: Patients (N = 40) from the Roseville Wellness Group were selected at first presentation of posture-related or stress-related ailments. Intervention: The participants, 20 for each condition, were treated with an ear acupuncture protocol according to which condition they had. The investigator and participants were not blinded. Laser energy upload was recorded at 5 timepoints: (1) baseline; (2) interim 1; (3) interim 2; (4) end of treatment; and (5) follow-up 2 weeks later. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were change in scores at end of treatment over baseline on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale or the Posture Scale, which were developed especially for this study. Results: The study is currently underway. Preliminary results indicate that, in both mental distress and posture care, there was a trend toward reducing laser dosage, with improving scores. Final results and implications for optimal laser dosage will be presented at the 8th International Auriculotherapy Symposium, in Rockville, MD, May 8-10, 2014. Conclusions: Preliminary data shows a trend toward reducing laser dosage required in both the posture and mental health protocols by the end of treatment; this is supported by improved outcome measures.