Investigating the effect of auriculotherapy on sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in female students living in dormitories

This study aim to determine the effect of auriculotherapy on sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in female students living in dormitories

This study will be a two-group clinical trial (an experimental group and a control group with a 55 participants in each group), single-blind, in parallel, on female students living in the dormitory.

Randomization will be done using stratified block randomization. Base on field of study, participants will be placed into each strata. participants in each strata will be assigned to the control and the intervention groups using blocks of four whose sequence generate by the randomizer statistical software.

Inclusion criteria: Iranian nationality, Age 18-25, First semester student, Single. Exclusion criteria: Presence of life stressors during the past three months -Having a history of severe psychiatric disorders -History of physical illnesses (migraines, ear infections) -Consumption of anti-anxiety and depressive medications, sleeping pills and sedatives, or drugs and alcoholic beverages -History of auriculotherapy treatment in the past 6 months -Those who engage in intense sports activities. Those who have online businesses or blogging pages on Telegram and Instagram

The intervention group herbal seeds are placed in the intervention group, the shenmen point (right or left ear based on the assessment of the reaction site). The samples are instructed to press the seeds in a circular manner for 2-3 minutes every 8 hours (7 am, 3 pm, 11 pm). The control group the seeds are placed in an inert spot. The subjects are instructed to press the seeds in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes every 8 hours (7 am, 3 pm, 11 pm).

Mean score and severity of sleep quality, Mean score and severity of anxiety, mean score and severity of depression

Eligible students will be invited from seven girl's dormitories. Randomization will be done using stratified block randomization. Base on field of study, participants will be placed into each strata. participants in each strata will be assigned to the control and the intervention groups using blocks of four whose sequence generate by the randomizer statistical software. To prevent bias and comply with the principle of concealment, the order of allocation will be placed in sealed envelopes, and the researcher will not know the group each participant assign to until they enter the study.

Participants and the researcher will be aware of how individuals assign to each of the intervention and the control groups. Before and after the intervention, in order to blinding, all questionnaires will be presented and collected by a research assistant who is unaware of the allocation method and project objectives. Therefore, this study is single-blind.