Construção de ferramenta para atendimento de auriculoterapia em pessoas idosas na atenção primária

Abstract

Introduction: The process of human aging results in losses in the biological, psychological, functional, and social fields, conferring vulnerability to the elderly in relation to diseases and health issues, with a direct impact on their quality of life. In this context, integrative and complementary health practices emerge as a promising therapeutic approach. Among them, auriculotherapy stands out, a modality of traditional Chinese medicine that aims at the psychoorganic regulation of the individual through the stimulation of energy points in the auricular pavilion. It shows good prognostics in reducing chronic pain, as well as improvements in the field of mental health. Its incorporation into primary care has the potential to strengthen health promotion and self-care, especially among elderly individuals who use multiple medications for extended periods. Objective: To develop a standard operating procedure for the application of auriculotherapy in the elderly within the context of primary care. Method: This is a descriptive research with a qualitative approach structured in three main stages: an integrative literature review, which gathered and analyzed scientific evidence on the efficacy of auriculotherapy in managing common conditions in the elderly; the construction of the Standard Operating Procedure as a technological product, based on the information obtained from the review; and the conduction of a Focus Group consisting of seven auriculotherapy specialists working in Basic Health Units, which took place in two face-to-face meetings, aiming to identify possible gaps in the product and thereby refine the instrument. To analyze the data collected in the Group, Bardin's content analysis was used. Prior to the development of the Research, there was a favorable Opinion from the UFRN Ethics Committee under number 6.994.208, in accordance with the guidelines of Resolution No. 466/2012 and No. 510/2016 of the National Health Council. Results: The review analyzed 14 studies published between 2018 and 2023, highlighting significant benefits of auriculotherapy in reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain, alleviating emotional symptoms, and controlling glycemic and blood pressure levels. The product was initially developed in a practical and didactic manner, with auricular maps and detailed instructions for each stage of care, making it an accessible tool for training healthcare teams and promoting comprehensive care. After the focus group, essential adaptations were incorporated into the protocol, including smoking as a common condition in the elderly, adjustments to the auricular points based on practical experience, the integration of Complementary and Integrative Health Practices (aromatherapy and music therapy), and the improvement of educational material for better application in primary care. Final Considerations: The instrument produced reinforces the protagonism of the elderly in their selfcare, through guidelines for home stimulation of auricular points between sessions. Thus, it is understood that auriculotherapy, applied in a structured and standardized manner, will contribute to humanizing healthcare, expanding access to complementary practices within the unified health system, and promoting a higher quality of life for the elderly population, with a positive impact on the comprehensiveness of care and the management of costs in public health. The study presented as limitations the heterogeneity of the findings in the literature, which hindered the standardization of protocols and the direct comparison between different approaches to auriculotherapy in the elderly.