Fig 2. Timeline of the investigation with endpoint measurements.

Time I: baseline; time II: evening of the day before exam; time 3: immediately before the anatomy exam; time IV: after exam. Auricular acupuncture (AA) was performed in the evening before the day of exam (time I) using indwelling fixed needles, which remained in situ and were removed after the exam (time IV). Exam anxiety was measured using the German version of Spielberger’s State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS-100) at times I, II and III, as was heart rate and blood pressure. Duration and quality of sleep (over the course of the preceding 1 night, 1 week and 6 months) were enquired about at time III. Immediately after the exam, at time point IV, exam performance (passed or failed) and the quality of participants’ blinding were recorded.