Effect of NADA ear acupuncture protocol on stress markers

Krisztina J. Kovács 1 , Ajándék Eőry 2 and Ajándok Eőry

3

Laboratory of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University and Hungarian Association of Acupuncture and Moxibution, Budapest, Hungary

Stress and ADDICTION

Stress and addiction

Stress and ADDICTION There is a strong connection between stress and drug abuse Initial drug taking- Stress relieving technique Drug withdrawal is extremely stressful Stress is the most powerful trigger for relapse Addicts are very often hypersensitive to stress

AIMS To study the effectiveness of NADA protocol on measures of anxiety and stess Spielberger’s state and trait anxiety inventory Cortisol

The Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the neuroendocrine stress response SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION

Why to measure cortisol from saliva?

Cortisol

(as other steroid hormones) enters the saliva by passive diffusion.

Free steroid levels are measured Serum:saliva correlation is 99% !

Saliva

Non invasive sample collection.

Easy to collect Repetead sample collection (daily fluctuation etc) Easy to measure (Enzyme Immune Assay-EIA-SALIMETRCS)

Stress-related biomarkers in the saliva:

Cortisol - HPA axis alfa amylase – sympathetic activity sIgA – immunemarker – mucosa releated immunity HSP-70 – HPA + sympathetic activity

Furthermore:

DNA – genetic polymorphism (GR, 5-HTTLPR, PreproNPY Pro7)

SUBJECTS and STUDY DESIGN Subjects: 3 subjects attending NADA tretment sessions were selected for the study. 24 women average age: 58 ,2 years and 6 men (age average: 56,3) were recruited.

Two saliva samples were collected by SALIVETTE (Sarstedt) First sample right before Ear acupuncture Second sample: half an hour after removal of the needles Collection of the first saliva sample STAI-S (Pre) and STAI-T NADA Ear acupuncture STAI-S (Post) Collection of the second saliva sample 30 min

NADA Treatment and Sham points Sham points: knee, prostate, sciatic, shoulder, 3M

NADA PATIENTS - HIGH TRAIT ANXIETY

STAI-TRAIT

P<0.02

75 50 25 0 Control NADA

100

NADA PATIENTS - HIGH STATE ANXIETY LEVELS

STAI-STATE (PRE-Acupuncture)

P<0.02

75 50 25 0 Control NADA

100 75 50 25 0

Change in STATE Anxiety scores after NADA

P<0.001

PRE

NADA

POST

15

Changes in saliva CORTISOL levels

NS

10 5 0 PRE

NADA

POST

4 2 0 12 10 8 6 Two population in NADA treated patients- Saliva CORTISOL levels PRE POST NADA

CONCLUSION: The anxiety scores of the patient population were higher than the average NADA treatment significantly reduced state anxiety levels in all patients Changes in saliva cortisol values measured shortly after NADA treatment were not statistically significant In those clients, who had high cortisol levels before treatment, NADA protocol resulted in significant resuction of the stress hormone cortisol