Palhoca

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, especially affecting university students. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of auricular acupuncture as a non-drug treatment for moderate depressive symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study compares auricular acupuncture with usual care and non-specific auricular acupuncture in a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial involving university students. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group receiving auricular acupuncture and a control group receiving non-specific auricular acupuncture. Both groups will undergo 12 treatment sessions over 6 weeks, with sessions held twice a week. Auricular acupuncture involves applying semi-permanent needles to specific points on the ear using traditional Chinese maps and a specialized device. A minimum of one day is required between sessions, and participants are allowed up to two non-consecutive absences. During the study, participants will be assessed for changes in depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9 questionnaire, with the primary measure being a 50% or greater improvement in symptoms three months after starting treatment. Secondary outcomes include symptom improvement at six months, quality of life measurements, changes in antidepressant use, adverse events, and levels of certain blood markers. The study will monitor participants closely to evaluate the treatment's impact and safety over time.