The effect of auriculotherapy on anxiety in older adult candidates for coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction Coronary angiography is an effective but anxiety‐provoking procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. Anxiety could complicate cardiovascular conditions of older adults and be detrimental to treatment procedures. The current study aimed to examine the effect of auriculotherapy on the anxiety of older adult candidates for coronary angiography. Method The study was a randomized controlled trial with a pretest–posttest design. The sample consisted of 94 male and female older adults that were randomly assigned to three groups: the auriculotherapy group with magnetized pellets, the auriculotherapy group with nonmagnetized pellets, and the control group. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results The results showed that auriculotherapy either with magnetized or nonmagnetized pellets would lead to a statistically significant reduction in state and trait anxiety of coronary angiography candidates. Conclusion Auriculotherapy could be considered an adjunct or stand‐alone nonpharmacological method for lowering anxiety before coronary angiography in older adults.