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PubMed1995

P6 acupressure reduces symptoms of vection-induced motion sickness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of P6 acupressure on nausea associated with visually-induced motion sickness. METHOD: There were 64 subjects randomly divided into 4 groups: P6 acupressure, dummy-point acupressure, sham P6 acupressure, and control. Each subject sat in an optokinetic drum for a 12-min baseline and 12-min drum rotation period. Subjects' electrogastrograms (EGG's) and subjective symptoms of motion sickness were obtained. RESULTS: The results indicated that the subjects in the P6 acupressure group reported significantly less nausea [F(3,60) = 8.16, p < 0.0001] during drum rotation period than those in the dummy-point acupressure, sham acupressure, and control groups. The scores for symptoms of motion sickness of the P6 acupressure group were significantly lower than those in the sham acupressure and control groups [F(3,60) = 3.49, p < 0.02]. Also, the subjects in the P6 acupressure group showed significantly less abnormal gastric myoelectric activity, tachyarrhythmia, than those in the sham acupressure and control groups [F(3,60) = 2.78, p < 0.04]. However, the subjects in the dummy-point acupressure group did not report significantly fewer symptoms and show less tachyarrhythmia than those in the sham acupressure and control groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that P6 acupressure reduces the severity of symptoms of visually-induced motion sickness and gastric tachyarrhythmia.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acupressure as an adjunct to a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

BACKGROUND: Acupressure is a therapy in which gentle pressure is applied with fingers at specific acupoints on the body. It is reported to relieve pain and have other beneficial effects. This study was designed to ascertain the value of self-administered acupressure as an adjunct to a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) for relief of dyspnea and other symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A single-blind pretest-posttest, cross-over design was used. Thirty-one new patients beginning a 12-week PRP at two private hospitals were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients in group 1 were taught acupressure and practiced it daily at home for 6 weeks, then sham acupressure for the following 6 weeks. In group 2, the order of acupressure and sham acupressure was reversed. During weeks 1, 6, and 12, patient dyspnea, other symptoms associated with COPD, activity tolerance, lung function, and functional exercise capacity were assessed. RESULTS: Real acupressure was more effective than sham acupressure for reducing dyspnea as measured by a visual analog scale (P = .009, one-tailed), and was minimally effective for relieving decathexis (P = .044, one-tailed). Sham acupressure seemed to be more effective than real acupressure for reducing peripheral sensory symptoms (P = .002, two-tailed), but the presence of these symptoms may also be an indication that the acupressure is affecting the body. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure seems to be useful to patients with COPD as an adjunct to a PRP in reducing dyspnea. Some persons who are not initially familiar with traditional Chinese medicine can learn and will accept self-administered acupressure as part of their self-care.

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PubMedDate not supplied

P6 acupressure increases tolerance to nauseogenic motion stimulation in women at high risk for PONV.

PURPOSE: In a previous study we noticed that P6 acupressure decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) more markedly after discharge. As motion sickness susceptibility is increased by, for example, opioids we hypothesized that P6 acu-pressure decreased PONV by decreasing motion sickness susceptibility. We studied time to nausea by a laboratory motion challenge in a group of volunteers, during P6 and placebo acupressure. METHODS: 60 women with high and low susceptibilities for motion sickness participated in a randomized and double-blind study with an active P6 acupressure, placebo acupressure, and a control group (n = 20 in each group). The risk score for PONV was over 50%. The motion challenge was by eccentric rotation in a chair, blindfolded and with chin to chest movements of the head. The challenge was stopped when women reported moderate nausea. Symptoms were recorded. RESULTS: Mean time to moderate nausea was longer in the P6 acu-pressure group compared to the control group. P6 acupressure = 352 (259-445), mean (95% confidence interval) in seconds, control = 151 (121-181) and placebo acupressure = 280 (161-340); (P = 0.006). No difference was found between P6 and placebo acupressure or placebo acupressure and control groups. Previous severity of motion sickness did not influence time to nausea (P = 0.107). The cumulative number of symptoms differed between the three groups (P < 0.05). Fewer symptoms were reported in the P6 acupressure compared to the control group P < 0.009. Overall, P6 acupressure was only marginally more effective than placebo acupressure on the forearms. CONCLUSION: In females with a history of motion sickness P6 acu-pressure increased tolerance to experimental nauseogenic stimuli, and reduced the total number of symptoms reported.

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PubMed2005

Effects of acupressure on gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans.

OBJECTIVE: Acupressure at Neiguan point (P6) has been used as an antiemetic in Eastern countries and many studies have reported its effectiveness on gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acupressure on gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers (9 M, 6 F) served as subjects. Acupressure at P6 was applied for 1 min followed by 1 min of rest, and this alternating sequence was continued for a total of 30 min. Electrogastrogram (EGG) was recorded for 30 min before ("baseline"), during ("acupressure") and after ("recovery") the application of acupressure. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also recorded to analyze autonomic nervous activities. RESULTS: The percentage of normal 3 cycles per minute slow wave (%NSW) was changed significantly by the application of acupressure (86.5+/-2.4, 92.3+/-1.2, 92.8+/-1.9% in the baseline, acupressure and recovery periods, respectively, p = 0.0424). The %NSW was significantly larger in the acupressure and the recovery periods than in the baseline period (p <0.03). The changes in %NSW from the baseline to the acupressure (r = -0.8598, p < 0.001) and to the recovery (r = -0.6422, p <0.01) periods were negatively correlated with the baseline %NSW. There was no change in HRV. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure at P6 increased %NSW of gastric myoelectrical activity. The negative correlation between the baseline value and the change in %NSW may extrapolate a possible normalizing effect of acupressure on impaired gastric myoelectrical activity in symptomatic patients.

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PubMed2004

Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on primary dysmenorrhoea.

AIM: This paper presents the findings of a study that assessed the effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls. BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological disorder among adolescents. Traditional Chinese acupressure derived from acupuncture is a non-invasive technique. Despite renewed interest in the use of acupressure, relatively few studies have been undertaken to examine its effects on primary dysmenorrhoea. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted between December 2000 and August 2001. Participants were female students attending a technical college in Taiwan. None of the 69 participants had a prior history of gynaecological disease or secondary dysmenorrhoea, and all were rated higher than five for pain on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The experimental group (n = 35) received acupressure at Sanyinjiao (above the ankle) while the control group (n = 34) rested for 20 min, while the control group underwent rest in the school health centre for 20 min without receiving acupressure. Fifty participants (30 experimental, 20 control) completed the 4-6-week follow-up session. Five instruments were used to collect pretest and post-test data at each session: (1) Visual Analogue Scale for pain; (2) the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire; (3) the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire; (4) the Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety; and, for the experimental group only, (5) the Acupressure Self-Assessment Form. Data were analysed using the chi-square test, two-sample t-test and repeated measures two-way anova. RESULTS: Acupressure at Sanyinjiao during the initial session reduced the pain and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea. In the self-treatment follow-up session, acupressure at Sanyinjiao significantly reduced menstrual pain but not anxiety. Thirty-one (87%) of the 35 experimental participants reported that acupressure was helpful, and 33 (94%) were satisfied with acupressure in terms of its providing pain relief and psychological support during dysmenorrhoea. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that acupressure at Sanyinjiao can be an effective, cost-free intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during dysmenorrhoea, and we recommend its use for self-care of primary dysmenorrhoea.

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PubMed2004

Effectiveness of acupressure in improving dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer from dyspnoea in their daily life and this may be increased by anxiety. Acupressure may promote relaxation and relieve dyspnoea. Thus, it is appropriate to explore the effectiveness of acupressure on dyspnoea in patients with COPD. AIMS: To compare outcomes of acupressure using sham acupoints on different meridians and ganglionic sections with that using true acupoints, in patients with COPD who are living at home. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with COPD were selected from a medical centre and three regional hospitals in Taipei. A randomized block experimental design was used. Using age, sex, pulmonary function, smoking, and steroid use as matching factors, 44 patients were randomly assigned either to a true acupoint acupressure or a sham group. The true acupoint acupressure group received a programme to decrease dyspnoea. Those in the sham group received acupressure using sham pressure points. Both acupressure programmes consisted of five sessions per week lasting 16 minutes per session, extending over 4 weeks for a total of 20 sessions. Before acupressure was initiated and at the conclusion of the 20th session, the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnoea Questionnaire-modified scale and the Spielberger State Anxiety scale were administered, and a 6-minute walking distance test was performed. Physiological indicators of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured before and after every session. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the pulmonary function and dyspnoea scores, 6-minute walking distance measurements, state anxiety scale scores, and physiological indicators of the true acupoint acupressure group improved significantly compared with those of the sham group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention to improve dyspnoea in patients with COPD.

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PubMed2002

Acupressure for prevention of emesis in patients receiving activated charcoal.

OBJECTIVE: Vomiting after activated charcoal decontamination is problematic. Acupressure (traditional Chinese medicine) is an effective treatment for emesis, but has not been tested in overdose patients. We sought to determine (1) the incidence of emesis after activated charcoal and (2) the ability of acupressure to prevent emesis due to activated charcoal. METHODS: Consecutive overdose patients were enrolled in a preliminary, prospective study to determine the incidence of emesis after activated charcoal. Awake patients, > 18 years, received 1 g/kg activated charcoal orally or via nasogastric tube, and then observedfor 1 hour. These patients served as controls forpart 2 of the study, where acupressure bands were placed on overdose patients at the Nei-Guan P-6 point of both wrists prior to activated charcoal, followed by 1 hour observation. Exclusion criteria included: ipecac decontamination, antiemetic drug ingestion, antiemetic drug therapy within 1 hour of activated charcoal, or intubation. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included in the control group and 106 patients in the acupressure treatment group. Demographics and ingested substances were similar in both groups. 21/81 (25.9%) in the control group vomited and 15/106 (14.2%) in the acupressure group vomited. Acupressure reduced emesis by 46% (p = 0.043; chi2). Within the acupressure group, the median duration of prophylactic acupressure was 5 minutes in those patients without vomiting compared to 4 minutes in those patients with vomiting (NS; Wilcoxon rank sum test). CONCLUSION: The incidence of emesis after activated charcoal at our institution was 26%. Prophylactic acupressure reduced activated charcoal-induced vomiting by 46%. Investigators suggest 5 minutes of acupressure prior to activated charcoal.

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PubMed2005

Acupressure for prevention of pre-operative anxiety: a prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study.

Pre-operative anxiety is associated with many unwanted effects such as increased analgesic and anaesthetic requirement, postoperative pain and prolonged hospital stay. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acupressure on pre-operative anxiety and bispectral index (BIS) values. Seventy-six adults, ASA grade I and II, undergoing elective surgery, were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group 1 (control) received acupressure at an inappropriate site and group 2 (acupressure) received acupressure at extra 1 point. The study was conducted during the pre-operative period and the duration of the study was 40 min (acupressure was applied for 10 min and thereafter patients were observed for another 30 min). Anxiety was recorded on a visual stress scale (VSS) at the start of the study and thereafter at 10 and 40 min. BIS was recorded at 0, 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 30 and 40 min. The VSS decreased in both groups following pressure application for 10 min: median VSS (interquartile range) were 5 (1) vs. 8 (1) in the acupressure and 7 (0) vs. 8 (1) in the control groups (p < 0.001). Both pre-operative anxiety and BIS decreased significantly during acupressure application at extra 1 point (p < 0.001). Acupressure is effective in decreasing both pre-operative anxiety and BIS; however, these effects are not sustained 30 min following release of acupressure. Further studies are needed to elucidate the duration for which acupressure is effective.

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PubMed2004

[Differences of cesarean section rates according to San-Yin-Jiao(SP6) acupressure for women in labor].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to San-Yin-Jiao(SP6) acupressure for women in labor. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pre test--post test design was used to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to SP6 acupressure. The participants were 209 women who were assigned to one of three groups SP6 acupressure(n=86), SP6 touch(n=47), and control group(n=76). For 30 minutes, the SP6 acupressure group received SP6 acupressure,and the SP6 touch group received SP6 touch for the duration of each uterine contraction. The Control group was encouraged to deep breath and relax for the duration of each uterine contraction for 30 minutes. RESULT: The rates of cesarean section were 12.8%, 29.8%, and 22.4% for the SP6 acupressure group, SP6 touch group, and control group respectively. There was a significant difference among groups (p=0.049). Cesarean section rates were significantly different between the SP6 acupressure and non-SP6 acupressure group(p=0.035). CONCLUSION: This finding shows that 30 minutes of SP6 acupressure was effective in decreasing the cesarean section rate. Therefore, SP6 acupressure during labor could be applied as an effective nursing intervention.

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PubMed2006

Acupressure for postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynaecological patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynaecological operations and receiving a patient-controlled analgesia device. METHODS: Patients aged between 40 and 65 yr were included. Exclusion criteria were obesity, diabetes mellitus, and history of motion sickness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or smoking. Patients were randomized into one of two groups, acupressure and control. In the acupressure group, acupressure bands were placed on both wrists with the plastic bead positioned at the P6 point. In controls, beads were placed at a non-acupoint site. All patients received a standard general anaesthetic. Postoperatively, patients were connected to a patient-controlled analgesia device with morphine (loading dose 5 mg, background infusion 1 mg h-1, bolus dose 1 mg and lock-out time 10 min). Pain and sedation scores, respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were recorded for 24 h. Metoclopramide 10 mg was administered intravenously as a rescue antiemetic. RESULTS: Fifty patients received acupressure and 50 were controls. In the acupressure group, 33% of patients had nausea compared with 63% controls. The cumulative incidence of vomiting at 24 h was 25% with acupressure and 61% in controls. The incidence of nausea, vomiting and antiemetic use was significantly lower with acupressure. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure at the P6 meridian point is an effective alternative for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia with morphine after gynaecological surgery.

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PubMed1999

Effect and placebo effect of acupressure (P6) on nausea and vomiting after outpatient gynaecological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture and acupressure have previously been reported to possess antiemetic effect. We wanted to investigate the "true" and placebo effect of acupressure in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty women undergoing outpatient minor gynaecological surgery were entered into a double-blind and randomised study. One group received acupressure with bilateral stimulation of P6 (A), a second group received bilateral placebo stimulation (P) and a third group received no acupressure wrist band and served as a reference group (R). PONV was evaluated as number of patients with complete response (no PONV), nausea only or vomiting. In addition, the need for rescue antiemetic medication and nausea after 24 h was registered. RESULTS: Complete response was obtained in 11, 11 and 9 patients in groups, A, P and R, respectively. Nine, 7 and 6 patients had nausea before discharge home, and 1, 1 and 8 patients were nauseated (8 vs 1 patient: P < 0.05) 24 h after operation in A, P and R groups, respectively. When compared to placebo acupressure (2 patients vomited and 5 needed rescue), significantly (P < 0.05) fewer needed rescue antiemetic medication after acupressure at P6 (no vomiting or rescue medication). When compared to the observation group (5 vomited and 4 needed rescue antiemetics), significantly fewer vomited after acupressure (P < 0.05) CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing brief gynaecological surgery, placebo effect of acupressure decreased nausea after 24 h but vomiting and need of rescue antiemetics was reduced only by acupressure with the correct P6 point stimulation.

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PubMed2005

Patients with systemic sclerosis have unique and persistent alterations in gastric myoelectrical activity with acupressure to Neiguan point PC6.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of acupressure on gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its possible influence on SSc-associated gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility disorders. METHODS: Acupressure to Neiguan point PC6 (GI, antiemetic point) was applied while SSc patients and healthy control subjects were monitored by 4-channel surface electrogastrography (EGG) during 30-minute baseline, acupressure, and recovery intervals. Frequency of GI symptoms and modified Rodnan skin scores (mRSS) of SSc patients were recorded. Acupressure to PC10 (non-GI, sham) was also performed on SSc patients to assess the validity of PC6 as a modulator of GI gastric rhythms. RESULTS: In the SSc patients, PC6 acupressure resulted in significant, persistent percentage mean normal wave decreases with concomitant percentage mean bradygastria and tachygastria increases during the recovery interval. Increases in percentage mean coupling seen in controls were blunted in SSc patients. In SSc patients, PC6 acupressure resulted in significant percentage normal wave and percentage bradygastria changes in the recovery interval that were not obtained with PC10 acupressure. In SSc patients, mRSS were significantly correlated to baseline GMA percentage mean normal waves and bradygastria and frequency of abdominal bloating. The frequency of symptoms for heartburn were significantly correlated with changes in GMA (deltaGMA, baseline vs recovery). CONCLUSION: In SSc patients, PC6 acupressure revealed significant, persistent, and possibly unique alterations in GMA during the recovery interval. deltaGMA was significantly correlated with the frequency of heartburn symptoms. Further studies will assess if acupressure to PC6 can provide a therapeutic or prognostic utility with GMA or GI symptoms in SSc patients.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of auricular acupressure as an adjuvant therapy in substance abuse treatment: a pilot study.

CONTEXT: Substance abuse and its related problems have become a serious public health issue, particularly in underserved border and rural communities. Conventional therapies have not always been effective. Literature regarding the use of auricular acupressure in substance abuse treatment is limited. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of auricular acupressure in addition to usual care in substance abuse treatment, which has been limited. DESIGN AND SETTING: This placebo-controlled pilot study was carried out in a community mental health center in a US-Mexico border city (Las Cruces) in southwestern New Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: A majority were Hispanic males with an average age of 32.8 years. Participants reported an average lifetime use of drug of choice of 14 years. INTERVENTION: In addition to usual care, participants received specific acupressure treatment and placebo acupressure treatment. The acupressure treatment was offered once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-20) Depression Scale was administered before and after 6 weeks of treatment to assess changes in emotional distress. Brief Substance Craving Scale was used at baseline and weekly for 6 weeks to assess changes in craving. RESULTS: Both specific and placebo acupressure groups showed a significant reduction in craving at the end of treatment, with the specific acupressure group having a greater and more steady reduction in craving. Both specific acupressure and usual-care-only groups demonstrated a significant reduction in emotional stress. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was a positive response to the specific auricular acupressure treatment on psychological distress, craving, and drug/alcohol use measures. These encouraging preliminary results need to be duplicated in studies with larger sample sizes and longer treatment phases.

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PubMed2003

Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end-stage renal disease--a randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of acupressure on sleep quality of end-stage renal disease patients. The study was a randomized controlled trial; qualified patients in the dialysis centers of four major hospitals were randomly assigned into an acupressure group, a sham acupressure group, and a control group. A total of 98 participants were included in the study. The main outcomes measured were the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the sleep log. Data were collected at pretreatment and following treatment. Primary statistical analysis was by means of Analysis of Covariance, the Kruskal-Wallis Test and repeated measure ANOVA. The results indicated that PSQI scores of the acupressure group have a significantly greater improvement (p < 0.01) than the control group. However, there were no differences between the acupressure group and the sham group or the sham group and the control group (p > 0.05). Subscales of PSQI were further analyzed. Results demonstrated significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group in subjective sleep quality (p = 0.009), sleep duration (p = 0.004), habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.001), and sleep sufficiency (p = 0.004). Significant differences in the subscale of subjective sleep quality (p = 0.003) between the sham acupressure group and the control group were also observed. Sleep log data showed that the acupressure group significantly decreased awake time and improved quality of sleep over time more than the control group (p < 0.01). The improvement could be seen as soon as the acupoints massage was implemented, and it was maintained through the post intervention.

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PubMed2001

The effects of acupressure on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in postsurgical patients.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common postoperative complications. Aside from pharmacological interventions, other complementary healing modalities have been introduced to assist patients in decreasing PONV and improving postoperative outcomes. This study examined acupressure as a potentially holistic and safe complement to the more traditional approach of using drugs to prevent and/or relieve nausea and vomiting in the postoperative patient. Acupressure involves constant pressure (without puncture of the skin) on the Nei Guan acupuncture points through the use of a British product called Sea-Bands (Sea Band UK Ltd, Leics, England). These bands are made of elasticated fabric, with a small round plastic button inside. A quasi-experimental research design was used to examine the effects of unilateral and bilateral application of acupressure on 157 patients who are prone to PONV: postgynecological, postplastic, and posturological surgery patients. The incidence of PONV was determined through retrospective chart reviews. The hypothesis was that there would be a difference in the incidence of PONV between 5 groups: group 1 (Sea-Bands with acupressure on both wrists), group 2 (Sea-Bands with acupressure on one wrist), group 3 (wristband without acupressure on both wrists), group 4 (wristband without acupressure on one wrist), and group 5 (no wristband). This hypothesis was examined by using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); it was not supported. Neither unilateral nor bilateral application of acupressure significantly affected the incidence of nausea and vomiting. These findings must be viewed with caution, however, because power analysis showed low effect sizes and an inadequate sample size. Further research is recommended with a larger sample size. This study has made perianesthesia nurses more aware of other complementary modalities to assist patients with nausea and vomiting.

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PubMed2005

Using acupressure to modify alertness in the classroom: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have suggested that acupressure is effective in reducing pain and improving sleep quality; however, its effects on alertness have not been characterized. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether two different acupressure treatments have opposing effects on alertness in a full-day classroom setting. DESIGN: This was a cross-over (two-treatments; three periods), single-blinded, randomized trial. SETTING: The University of Michigan School of Public Health was the setting. SUBJECTS: Students attending a course in clinical research design and statistical analysis at the University of Michigan participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Blinded subjects were randomized to two acupressure treatment sequences: stimulation-relaxation-relaxation or relaxation-stimulation-stimulation. Acupressure treatments were self administered over 3 consecutive days. Pre- and post-treatment alertness scores were assessed each day using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). Changes in the SSS score (afternoon-morning) were analyzed using a mixed regression model of fixed and random effects. Important factors that were expected to affect alertness, such as caffeine and previous night's sleep, were also assessed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and protocol compliance were similar between the two sequences. Stimulation acupressure treatment yielded a 0.56-point greater difference in score on the SSS, corresponding to less fatigue, compared to the relaxation acupressure treatment (p = 0.019). Day of study (p = 0.004) and hours of overnight sleep (p = 0.042) also significantly affected the change in SSS scores. Incorporating participants' beliefs as to which treatment they received did not significantly alter the observed treatment effect. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure at stimulation and relaxation points has differential effects on alertness in a classroom setting. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and to determine whether stimulation and relaxation acupressure are equally effective in influencing alertness.

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PubMed1999

The effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people often suffer from disturbed sleep. Because traditional Chinese medicine indicates that acupressure therapy may induce sedation, testing the effectiveness of acupressure in enhancing the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents with a well-designed scientific study is needed. METHODS: A randomized block experimental design was used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was used as a screening tool to select subjects with sleep disturbance. By matching the effects of hypertension, hypnosis, naps, and exercise, subjects were randomly assigned to an acupressure group, a sham acupressure group, and a control group. Each group had 28 subjects for a total of 84 subjects. The same massage routine was used in the acupressure group and the sham acupressure group, whereas only conversation was employed in the control group. RESULTS: There were significant differences in PSQI subscale scores of the quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances of sleep, and global PSQI scores among subjects in the three groups before and after interventions. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the frequencies of nocturnal awakening and night wakeful time in the acupressure group compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of elderly people and offered a nonpharmacological therapy method for sleep-disturbed elderly people.

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PubMed2003

Use of acupressure to improve gastrointestinal motility in women after trans-abdominal hysterectomy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in women after trans-abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 21 and 20 patients each. The experimental group received acupressure for 3 minutes at each of three meridian points: Neiguan (PC-6), Zusanli (ST-36) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). The control group received 3 minutes of acupressure on sham points. Acupressure was performed twice a day. A questionnaire was used to determine patients' satisfaction prior to and after afternoon acupressure. GI contractions were measured with a multifunctional stethoscope before and after acupressure. Acupressure of these three meridian points significantly (p < 0.05) increased GI motility in the experimental group, but there was little change in the control group (p > 0.05). Our conclusions are that non-invasive acupressure of these meridian points can significantly improve GI motility and can be incorporated into the technical curriculum and clinical education program of nursing schools. Patients and their family members can be taught to continue this procedure at home to enhance GI motility in patients who have undergone TAH.

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