Effect of auriculotherapy on the management of anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women in health services: Scoping review

OBJECTIVE: To map the scientific literature on the effects of auriculotherapy for managing anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women in health services. METHOD: The review was conducted in June 2025 by two independent reviewers. A scope search was performed across the following databases: Scopus, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), Web of Science, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), PubMed, Cochrane Library, the CAPES Catalog of Theses and Dissertations, SAGE Open, Wanfang Data, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The review included full-text online manuscripts that addressed the research question, encompassing dissertations, theses, ministerial orders, guidelines, and scientific articles. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 12 studies published between 2013 and 2025, with a peak in 2023 (25 %), originating from Brazil and Asia. The interventions predominantly used dark mustard seeds applied to the Shen Men and Anxiety acupoints. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was the primary instrument for anxiety assessment. Most studies demonstrated a significant reduction in mean STAI scores and anxiety symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women following auriculotherapy. Key reported effects included decreased anxiety levels, reduced low back pain and fatigue, and improved sleep quality and energy levels. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy shows beneficial effects for managing anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women, leading to enhanced well-being and reduced anxiety levels. IMPLICATIONS: for the profession and/or patient care: Further research is necessary, particularly focusing on the postpartum period, to consolidate the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of auriculotherapy in this population.