Effect of Auriculotherapy on Constipation Severity in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Constipation is one of the most prevalent digestive problems in hemodialysis patients that threatens their life due to hyperkalemia. Acupressure could be helpful in this condition. This study aimed at investigating the effect of auriculotherapy on severity of constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

A single-blind clinical trial was conducted in hemodialysis patients (n=70) experiencing constipation in Isfahan, Iran 2017. The samples were randomly assigned into either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group underwent auriculotherapy using vaccaria seeds in five points for one month. Data were collected using Constipation Assessment Scale before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention and analyzed in SPSS V18 applying independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, analysis of covariance, and Chi-square test.

Significant differences were seen in severity of constipation between the intervention group and control group at all times (P<0.05). Also, the mean decrease in the score for constipation severity in intervention group was significantly higher immediately after and one month after the intervention than the control group (P<0.05).

Auriculotherapy in constipation points; rectum, large intestine, shenmen, and kidney reduces the severity of constipation in hemodialysis patients. This method is recommended to reduce constipation severity in these patients.