Abstract
[Purpose] To examine the effects of treatment using press tack needles compared with placebo press tack needles applied at Shenmen, an acupuncture point on the ear, on the psychological conditions of university students playing rugby during the summer training camp period. [Subjects and Methods] Male players belonging to the rugby club of University-A were divided into 3 groups: press tack needle: 33; placebo: 38; and control: 32, to compare changes in their scores from the subscales of the Japanese-version Short-form POMS on Camp Days 1 and 3. [Results] Main effects were observed for T-A and F scores during the study period, but there were neither main effects nor interactions related to the intervention method. Furthermore, there were no significant main effects or interactions for other scores. [Conclusion] The treatment with press tack needles or placebo press tack needles applied at Shenmen did not show effects on the players’ psychological conditions.
