جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « Acupressure » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

Acupressure is a branch of complementary medicine that is non-pharmacological and non-invasive. We conducted this technique to see its effect on pulmonary function in Rafsanjan Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex workers.

This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on 82 workers with abnormal spirometry results. Respondents were selected by convenient sampling and then randomly divided into the two groups of 41 people. In the intervention group, after acupressure training, the participants were asked to stimulate 2 points first on one side of the body and then on the other side. The Two points were LU7 and LU9. The pressure was applied using fingers for 2 minutes at each point, at a specific time, and for 5 days by the participants themselves. In the control group, acupressure was used at ineffective points that the samples did not know about. FVC, FEV1 indices, and six-minute walk test (6MWT) in both groups were measured and compared before and after the intervention.

No significant difference was observed between the control and intervention groups before the study based on FVC, FEV1 and 6MWT scors.  There was also no difference in the control group before and after the study based on these indices. However, in the treatment group, the FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratios significantly increased after the intervention (P<0.05).

Acupressure can effectively improve the functional parameters of the lungs, especially in workers who suffer from pulmonary dysfunction due to occupational diseases.

Divergent findings reported in the literature on the impact of acupressure on improvement in mothers’ anxiety during labor and consequently on birth outcomes. However, there is no existing meta-analysis on this issue.

This systematic review assesses the effect of acupressure and auriculotherapy on anxiety during labor, neonatal outcomes, and maternal-fetal attachment.

The Cochrane central register of controlled trials, MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI, and Scopus online databases were searched by two researchers up to January 2023. The quality of studies was assessed based on the Jade scale.

Nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupressure significantly decreased anxiety compared to touching (standardized mean difference=-3.29; P<0.001; I2=8%; P=0.295; the fixed effect model) and routine care (standardized mean difference=-1.08; confidence interval=-2.46 to 0.30; P=0.12; I2=96.19%; P<0.001). Maternal-fetal attachment was higher in both groups who received acupressure and auriculotherapy compared to the control group (P<0.001). Meanwhile, auriculotherapy did not impact neonatal outcomes, such as newborns’ weight and Apgar score.

Acupressure was an effective tool to improve anxiety during labor and it consequently improved fetal oxygenation.

Several studies have investigated the effects of acupressure in patients with known diabetes. However, no studies have investigated the effects of acupressure on women with prediabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of self-administered acupressure on fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and anxiety levels in prediabetic women. This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 50 women with prediabetes who referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran, from September 4, 2021, to February 20, 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 to receive either metformin and self-administered acupressure or metformin and sham point pressure. FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety levels were measured in both groups before and 12 weeks after the intervention. All patients also received routine training. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, independent samples t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The two groups did not differ significantly in their mean baseline FBS and HbA1c values. However, the mean baseline anxiety was significantly higher in the control group (P=0.009). After the intervention, the mean FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety were significantly lower in the intervention group (P<0.001). After controlling for the effect of baseline anxiety scores using ANCOVA, we found that the intervention was effective in reducing mean anxiety (P<0.001). Self-administered acupressure reduced FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety levels in prediabetic women. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses and physicians train prediabetic patients to use self-administered acupressure to manage their anxiety and prediabetic symptoms.

Shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is one of the important complications that can increase patients’ discomfort and their length of stay at the hospital. This study aimed to compare the effects of body acupressure and ear acupressure on shoulder pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 101 patients participated in this randomized controlled clinical trial in 2022. They completed the demographic information form and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Then, they were assigned into ear acupressure, body acupressure, and control groups through block randomization. The control group did not receive any intervention. The amount of shoulder pain in patients was recorded in all three groups by using the VAS one (T1), four (T2), and eight (T3) hours after the intervention. Data analysis was done with the SPSS software (v. 25). The mean shoulder pain score in the ear acupressure group was lower than that in the body acupressure group and the control group in T1 (P<0.001). The median shoulder pain score in the body acupressure group was lower than that in the control group at T2 (P<0.001); the median pain score in the ear acupressure group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups at T2 (P<0.001). The median pain score in the control group was higher than that in the body acupressure and ear acupressure groups at T3 (P<0.001). We observed no statistically significant difference between the body acupressure and ear acupressure groups at T3 (P= 0.12). Statistical analysis showed no difference between the mean anxiety scores of patients in the control, body acupressure, and ear acupressure groups (Z=1.41, P=0.49). Body acupressure and ear acupressure were effective in reducing shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but ear acupressure was more effective and it showed its analgesic effect faster than body acupressure.

People with knee osteoarthritis have a low quality of life due to joint pain and stiffness, severely limiting their daily activities. This study aims to investigate the impact of self-acupressure on the pain, joint stiffness, and physical functioning of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 78 patients aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital and private orthopedic clinics in Ahvaz City, Iran, in 2018. The patients were recruited based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned to three groups: self-acupressure (n=26), sham (n=26), and control (n=26). Patients in the intervention group applied daily self-acupressure to 5 specific points around their knees for 8 consecutive weeks. The sham group applied pressure on the points different from those used by the intervention group. The control group received no intervention. The study data were collected using the Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS), and a checklist for daily recordings of pain medication. The obtained data were analyzed using the chi-square test and analysis of variance in SPSS software, version 20. The significance level was set at P<0.05.

The comparison of changes within the group showed that the intensity of pain in the intervention group decreased over time (P<0.0001). Also, the joint stiffness, physical functioning, and total WOMAC score significantly decreased in the intervention group (P<0.0001). The frequency of analgesic use was also reduced in the intervention group over time (P=0.026).

According to the results, self-acupressure effectively reduces the intensity of pain and joint stiffness and improves the physical performance of older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Overall, this easy and affordable intervention is recommended for this group.

The current study aimed to compare the impact of acupressure and clonazepam tablets on the quality of sleep in hemodialysis patients in light of the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the high prevalence of sleep disturbance in these patients, and the side effects of hypnotic drugs.

A total of 60 patients were selected for this randomized, controlled clinical trial and randomly assigned to two groups. For two weeks during the researcher's evening shift, one group received acupressure (six spots bilaterally for three minutes each day). The opposing group was administered clonazepam tablets (0.5 mg) for two weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which measures sleep quality, was used to compare sleep in the two groups before and after the intervention.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups prior to the intervention (P = 0.75) in terms of the mean pre-intervention PSQI scores for the acupressure and clonazepam groups, which were 15.83 ± 1.51 and 16.17 ± 0.91, respectively. However, the average PSQI scores after the intervention in the clonazepam and acupressure groups were 13.25 ± 2.88 and 8.97 ± 4.29, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001). Both the acupressure and the clonazepam groups showed improvements in their post-intervention sleep quality among the patients. However, when the percentage changed in the mean scores of the total score and all of the PSQI components were calculated for each group, it became clear that acupressure was more effective at enhancing sleep than clonazepam tablets.

The findings of the present investigation demonstrate that acupressure has a greater impact on patients’ sleep quality compared to clonazepam tablets. Depending on the circumstances, acupressure can be used as a simple, safe, and non-drug way to enhance hemodialysis patients' quality of sleep.

This study aimed to determine the effects ofacupressure on the intestinal function of patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.

Studies indicated that cardiovascular patients are prone to constipation. Acupressure is one of the therapeutic and palliative approaches that can be used by doctors, nurses, and even patients themselves.

The present three-group randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 90 patientsundergoing CABG surgery. In the intervention group, 48 hours after surgery the patients received acupressure points LI4 and ST25 twice a day (10 am and 6 pm) for three sequential days. In the sham group, the patients received acupressure at a 1.5 cm distance from the LI4-ST25 points, and the patients in the control group received only the usual care. This research used a demographic and medical information questionnaire, Rome IV scale, Bristol stool scale, symptom registration checklist, and daily excretion assessment checklist. The intestinal function indices were completed 24 hours after surgery (before intervention), 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after surgery.

All three intervention, sham, and control groups were without defecation in 24 hours (before intervention) and 48 hours aftersurgery. There was a significant difference between the three intervention, sham, and control groups in the number of stools after 72 hours, 96 hours, and 120 hours after the intervention (p<0.001). Also, a significant difference was observed among the three groups in terms of stool consistency 96 hours after the start of the intervention (p=0.032) and 120 hours after the start of the intervention (p<0.001).

The results showed that patients had a significant improvement in the number of bowel movements and stool consistency in the intervention group.In acute conditions, acupressure on LI4-ST25 points can positively affect intestinal function when patients are hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Psychological distress is prevalent among the primary family caregivers of patients with stroke.

This study evaluated the effects of acupressure on anxiety, stress, and depression among the primary family caregivers of Patient With Stroke.

In this sham-controlled randomized clinical trial, 96 family caregivers of Patient with Stroke were selected and allocated to the acupressure (n=40) and sham (n=42) groups. The study data were collected using demographic questionnaires for the patients and caregivers, the Barthel index (for assessing independence in daily living activities,) and the Persian version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Participants in the acupressure group received training about acupressure on the Yin Tang and HT7 points, while participants in the sham group received training about acupressure on the CV24 and TB5 sham points. The acupressure intervention lasted for 30 consecutive days. Statistical tests, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the independent t test, the Chi-square test, the Fisher exact test, the Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U test, and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were applied to analyze the data.

The mean ages of the participants were 46.1±12.1 years in the acupressure group and 42.7±11.8 years in the sham group. The mean ages of the patients in these groups were 75.1±8.1 and 76.8±9.7 years; respectively. Regarding the demographic characteristics, no significant differences were observed between the acupressure and the sham groups. Regarding the pre-test mean scores of anxieties, stress, and depression, there were no significant differences between the acupressure and the sham groups. Anxiety and stress significantly reduced after the intervention only in the acupressure group (P<0.05). However, depression did not change substantially during the study. The ANCOVA indicated significant differences between the two groups after the intervention regarding anxiety and stress. In other words, in the acupressure group, anxiety and stress significantly improved compared to the sham group (P<0.05).

It seems that the acupressure on the Yin Tang and HT7 points can help manage anxiety and stress among the primary family caregivers of Patient With Stroke.

Acupressure as one of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become very popular in the management of various diseases such as diabetes. Although the increasing use of acupuncture, there are limited systematic reviews and meta-analyses in this field.

The present study was performed with aim to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure on the blood sugar parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this rapid systematic review and meta-analysis, the studies published globally between 2010 and 2022 were searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases with the keywords of acupressure, diabetes, complementary medicine, blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin as separately and in combination. To analyze data, STATA software version 11 was used to analyze data, and the random effect model method was applied for meta-analysis of the studies.

Among the 411 articles found in the initial search, finally 8 articles were selected for this study. The results of the meta-analysis of studies showed that acupressure had a positive effect on blood sugar (95% CI = 0.816-1.553, P < 0.001, OR = 1.18) and fasting blood sugar (95% CI = 0.260 - 0.857, P˂0.001, OR = 0.559) in diabetic patients, while it had no effect on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (95% CI = -0.139 - 0.389, P = 0.355, OR = 0.559).

Implications for Practice:

 This study showed the positive effect of acupressure in reducing blood sugar and fasting blood sugar in patients with diabetes, however more studies are required to confirm the effect of acupressure on glycosylated hemoglobin.

Cardiac patients are prone to experiencing constipation. The main purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of acupressure on preventing constipation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) under primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

The present randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients with AMI (30 patients in each group) who were randomly allocated based on inclusion criteria. The intervention was carried out among the patients with AMI on the acupressure points SJ6, LI4, ST25, and SP6 two times a day (10 am and 6 pm) for three sequential days.

On the first and second days of the study, all of the patients had no defecation, and the first defecation occurred on the third day of the study. In the intervention, sham, and control groups, 93.3%, 46.7%, and 50.0% had normal defecation on the third day of the study, respectively. The results of the Chi-square test revealed significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.001).

The results of the present study showed that patients with AMI in the intervention group had significant improvement in terms of stool consistency based on the Bristol stool scale. So, acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention in critical care units.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability in the world. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure on LBP intensity and depression among chronic nonspecific LBP patients.

This sham-controlled randomized clinical trial was performed on 84 patients with chronic nonspecific LBP. The data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The participants were randomly assigned to acupressure (n = 42) and sham (n = 42) groups. The acupressure group was trained on how to apply pressure on Yin tang, Feng Chi, and Shu Fu acupoints; nevertheless, the sham group was trained on how to apply pressure on Chen Jiang, Huang Shu, and Ji ache acupoints. The participants in both groups applied acupressure once a day for 4 weeks. Both groups completed the VAS and the BDI-II again one day after the intervention.

No significant differences in LBP intensity (P = 0.45) and depression (P = 0.26) were observed between the two groups before the intervention. By controlling the baseline scores of LBP and depression, analysis of covariance revealed that the LBP and depression of the acupressure group significantly improved after the intervention, compared to the sham group (P < 0.05).

Applying pressure on Shu Fu, Yin Tang, and Feng Chi points is effective in reducing LBP and depression among chronic nonspecific LBP patients. The findings of this study can be used in designing and evaluating more robust protocols.