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Objective <p>To assess the effects of acupuncture on perceived stress, Cortisol levels, and qualitative outcomes in healthy adults.</p> Methods <p>A pre-post interventional study was conducted according to the <i>Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs</i> guidelines. A total of 32 participants underwent 12 acupuncture sessions over 4 weeks. Perceived stress was assessed using the perceived stress scale, while biological stress was measured using hair cortisol levels. Focus group discussions and additional narrative analysis were conducted to collect qualitative data.</p> Results <p>Of the 34 initial participants, 32 completed the 12-session treatment regimen over 4 weeks, resulting in a high compliance rate of 93.8%. Significant differences in perceived stress scale scores were observed between pre-treatment and post-treatment at weeks 2, 3, and 4 (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). However, no significant difference was found in hair cortisol levels between pre-treatment and post-treatment (<i>P</i>&gt;0.05). Qualitative analysis identified five key themes: “manageable stress”, “relaxation and calm”, “improved sleep”, “unpleasant experiences”, and “relief from body tension”.</p> Conclusion <p>Acupuncture is a feasible intervention for reducing perceived stress and enhancing stress-coping abilities in healthy adults, although it does not appear to have a biological effect.</p>

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Effects of acupuncture on perceived stress in healthy adults: a mixed-method study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月23日

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  • Lay-Khim Goh,
  • Zhi Hang Wong,
  • Lin Kooi Ong,
  • Nicholas Khong Mun Hoe

摘要

Objective

To assess the effects of acupuncture on perceived stress, Cortisol levels, and qualitative outcomes in healthy adults.

Methods

A pre-post interventional study was conducted according to the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs guidelines. A total of 32 participants underwent 12 acupuncture sessions over 4 weeks. Perceived stress was assessed using the perceived stress scale, while biological stress was measured using hair cortisol levels. Focus group discussions and additional narrative analysis were conducted to collect qualitative data.

Results

Of the 34 initial participants, 32 completed the 12-session treatment regimen over 4 weeks, resulting in a high compliance rate of 93.8%. Significant differences in perceived stress scale scores were observed between pre-treatment and post-treatment at weeks 2, 3, and 4 (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in hair cortisol levels between pre-treatment and post-treatment (P>0.05). Qualitative analysis identified five key themes: “manageable stress”, “relaxation and calm”, “improved sleep”, “unpleasant experiences”, and “relief from body tension”.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a feasible intervention for reducing perceived stress and enhancing stress-coping abilities in healthy adults, although it does not appear to have a biological effect.