Minute sphere acupressure does not reduce postoperative pain or morphine consumption. Acupressure and vitamin B6 to relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomized study The psychologic consequences of chronic dyspnea in chronic pulmonary obstruction disease: the effects of acupressure on depression. Effects of acupressure and ibuprofen on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. Effects of aromatherapy acupressure on hemiplegic shoulder pain and motor power in stroke patients: a pilot study. Effect of acupressure on postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Acupressure and ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy Acupressure for the in-patient treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized control trial. Effects of acupressure therapy for patients having prolonged mechanical ventilation support. The effects of P6 acupressure in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. P6 Acupressure Does Not Prevent Emesis During Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery Acupressure and prevention of nausea and vomiting during and after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on primary dysmenorrhoea. Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial A randomized controlled clinical trial for low back pain treated by acupressure and physical therapy. Comparison of acupressure bands and droperidol for reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting in gynecologic surgery patients. The effect of acupressure with massage on fatigue and depression in patients with end-stage renal disease. Acupressure treatment of morning sickness in pregnancy. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Acupressure for postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynaecological patients receiving patient‐controlled analgesia Success of Acupuncture and Acupressure of the Pc 6 Acupoint in the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum Effectiveness of acupressure in improving dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of an acupressure device (relief brief) for managing symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Continuous PC6 wristband acupressure for relief of nausea and vomiting associated with acute myocardial infarction: a partially randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Prehospital analgesia with acupressure at the Baihui and Hegu points in patients with radial fractures: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Prehospital Analgesia with Acupressure in Victims of Minor Trauma: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial Using acupressure to modify alertness in the classroom: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over trial. Acupressure for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting in children. P6 acupressure may relieve nausea and vomiting after gynecological surgery: an effectiveness study in 410 women Acupressure and Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation in improving fatigue, sleep quality and depression in hemodialysis patients. Effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study. The efficacy of acupressure to prevent nausea and vomiting in post-operative patients. Acupoints massage in improving the quality of sleep and quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease. Acupressure for nausea: results of a pilot study. Acupressure and fatigue in patients with end-stage renal disease-a randomized controlled trial. Self-administered acupressure reduces the symptoms that limit daily activities in bronchiectasis patients: pilot study findings. Effects of SP6 acupressure on labor pain and length of delivery time in women during labor. The efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation wrist bands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. A University of Rochester Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program multicenter study. Acupressure wristbands versus metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end-stage renal disease--a randomized controlled trial. Acupressure wristbands for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Effects of LI4 and BL 67 acupressure on labor pain and uterine contractions in the first stage of labor. Effect of Nei-Guan point (P6) acupressure on ketonuria levels, nausea and vomiting in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. The management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy with acupuncture and acupressure: a randomised controlled trial. Efficacy of wrists overnight compression (HT 7 point) on insomniacs: possible role of melatonin? Effect of acupuncture or acupressure on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive asthma: a pilot study. Acupressure bands are effective in reducing radiation therapy-related nausea. Acupressure wristbands do not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after urological endoscopic surgery
Minute sphere acupressure has been used for more than 2000 yr and remains popular in Japan . The points most relevant to abdominal surgery are those associated with meridian flows crossing or originating in the abdomen . We tested the hypothesis that minute sphere therapy reduces pain and analgesic requirements after open abdominal surgery . Participating patients were given st and ardized desflurane and fentanyl anesthetic .  On completion of surgery , they were r and omly assigned to untreated control or minute sphere acupressure at the Neiguan , Zusanli , Sanyinjiao , and Gongsun points . Each site was covered with bulky gauze dressings so that patients could not determine their assignments . Postoperative pain was treated with IV morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia pump . Our primary a priori end-points were pain and opioid consumption on the first postoperative morning . Data are reported as median ( 25th percentile , 75th percentile ) . Fifty-three patients ( 30 controls and 23 minute spheres ) completed the study .  Morphine requirements ( 47 mg [ 27 , 58 ] vs 41 mg [ 25 , 69 ] ) and pain scores ( 29.5 mm [ 16 , 59 ] vs 40 mm [ 22 , 58 ] ) were similar in the control and acupressure groups . These data provide an 80 % power for detecting a 50 % difference in morphine consumption at an alpha of 0.05 . Minute sphere treatment at the Neiguan , Zusanli , Sanyinjiao , and Gongsun points thus failed to provide analgesia after abdominal surgery . Minute sphere therapy is a form of acupuncture . We tested whether minute spheres placed on three acupressure points relevant to abdominal surgery reduced pain and morphine requirements after abdominal surgery . Treatment and control patients received a similar covering . Neither pain nor morphine requirements were different between the groups Objective To compare the effectiveness of acupressure and vitamin B6 in the outpatient treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy . Study design Pregnant volunteers with symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting between 6 and 12 weeks ’ gestation participated in a 7-day clinical trial . Participants were r and omly assigned to receive a device for acupressure therapy and placebo drug or an otherwise identical but non-stimulating placebo device and vitamin B6 . The primary outcome measure was self-recorded symptoms according to Rhodes index . Secondary outcome measures were weight gain and medication use . Results The mean change in Rhodes index was not significantly different between the two groups . There were no statistically significant differences in weight gain and medication use between the two groups . Conclusion Acupressure therapy is not more effective than vitamin B6 in reducing nausea and vomiting in symptomatic women in the first trimester of pregnancy OBJECTIVES The onset of depression is often triggered by breathlessness in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . It is hypothesized that these are the psychologic consequences of chronic dyspnea . Lessening dyspnea might alleviate depressive symptoms . Acupressure has been shown in other studies to produce relaxation . The aim of this study was to determine if it would lessen dyspnea and reduce depression in patients with COPD . SUBJECTS AND DESIGN Subjects diagnosed with COPD were chosen from one medical center and three regional hospitals in Taipei , Taiwan . A r and omized , block experimental design was used , with subjects and the data collector blinded . Using age , gender , pulmonary function , smoking , and steroid use as matching factors , 44 subjects were r and omly assigned to either the true acupressure or the sham acupressure groups . The true acupressure group received a program of acupressure using appropriate acupoints that promote relaxation and relieve dyspnea . The sham acupressure group received acupressure using sham acupoints different from the meridians and ganglionic sections of the true acupressure group . Both acupressure programs lasted 4 weeks , with five sessions per week that lasted 16 minutes per session . OUTCOME MEASURES The Geriatric Depression Scale ( GDS ) and Dyspnea Visual Analogue Scale ( DVAS ) were administered prior to the program as a baseline , and again following the completion of the 4-week program . Oxygen saturation and other physiological indicators were measured before and after each session . RESULTS The results of this study showed that the GDS scores , DVAS scores , oxygen saturation , and physiological indicators of the true acupressure group were significantly improved , compared to those of the sham acupressure group . CONCLUSIONS These findings provide health professionals with an evidence -based intervention to use with persons with COPD . Applying this acupressure program in clinical practice , communities , and long-term care units may lessen chronic dyspnea and depression in persons with COPD The present study aims at comparing the effects of acupressure using new combination of acupoints , and Ibuprofen on the severity of  primary dysmenorrhea ( PD ) . 216 female high school students , aged between 14 to 18 years , were r and omly selected and divided into three groups . Each group underwent different treatment techniques : acupressure , Ibuprofen and sham acupressure as a placebo . The results indicated that the three therapeutic techniques were significantly effective in reducing the pain . However the therapeutic efficacies of acupressure and Ibuprofen were similar with no significant difference , and were significantly better than the placebo . Thus acupressure , with no complications , is recommended as an alternative and also a better choice in the decrease of the severity of PD OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine if aromatherapy acupressure , compared to acupressure alone , was effective in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain and improving motor power in stroke patients . DESIGN This work was a r and omized , controlled trial . SUBJECTS Thirty ( 30 ) stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain participated in this study . INTERVENTION Subjects were r and omly assigned to either an aromatherapy acupressure group ( N = 15 ) or an acupressure group ( N = 15 ) , with aromatherapy acupressure using lavender , rosemary , and peppermint given only to the former group . Each acupressure session lasted 20 minutes and was performed twice-daily for 2 weeks . OUTCOMES MEASURES Shoulder pain and motor power were the outcome measures used in this study . RESULTS The pain scores were markedly reduced in both groups at post-treatment , compared to pretreatment ( both aroma acupressure and acupressure group , p < 0.001 ) . A nonparametric statistical analysis revealed that the pain score differed significantly between the 2 groups at post-treatment ( p < 0.01 ) . The motor power significantly improved at post-treatment , compared to pretreatment , in both groups ( p < 0.005 ) . However , there was no intergroup difference between two groups . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aromatherapy acupressure exerts positive effects on hemiplegic shoulder pain , compared to acupressure alone , in stroke patients OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure applied at meridian P6 point for prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy . METHODOLOGY A r and omized double blind study was performed in 50 ASA I and II patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy . Patients were divided into two groups ; control and placebo . In the control group acupressure was applied at P6 point half an hour before surgery while in the placebo group the acupressure b and was tied on meridian P6 point but the plastic bead was placed on the dosum of right forearm away from meridian P6 point . Patients were assessed for nausea and vomiting for six hours after surgery . Anaesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were st and ardized for all patients . RESULTS Results showed that the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 36 % in the treatment group and 40 % in placebo group , which is statistically insignificant . CONCLUSION Application of acupressure at P6 point half an hour before induction of anaesthesia does not significantly alter the incidence of postoperative nausea and /or vomiting within 6 hours after surgery Purpose To compare the efficacy of acupressure wrist b and s and ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) . Methods One hundred and fifty ASA I – II , patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in a r and omized , prospect i ve , double-blind and placebo-controlled study . Patients were divided into three groups of SO . Group I was the control ; Group II received ondansetron 4 mgiv just prior to induction of anesthesia ; in Group III acupressure wristb and s were applied at the P6 points . Acupressure wrist b and s were placed inappropriately in Groups I and II . The acupressure wrist b and s were applied 30 min prior to induction of anesthesia and removed six hours following surgery . Anesthesia was st and ardized . PONV were evaluated separately as none , mild , moderate or severe within six hours of patients ’ arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and then at 24 hr after surgery by a blinded observer . If patients vomited more than once , they were given 4 mg ondansetroniv as the rescue antiemetic . Results were analyzed by Ztest . AP value of < 0.05 was taken as significant . Results The incidence of PONV and the requirement of rescue medication were significantly lower in both the acupressure and ondansetron groups during the first six hours . Conclusion Acupressure at P6 causes a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV and the requirement for rescue medication in the first six hours following laparoscopic cholecystectomy , similar to that of ondansetron 4 mgiv . RésuméObjectifComparer l’efficacité des b and es d’acupression et de l’ondansétron comme prévention des nausées et vomissements postopératoires (NVPO).MéthodeCent  cinquante patients d’état physique ASA I– II devant subir une cholécystectomie laparoscopique ont été recrutés pour une étude prospect i ve , r and omisée et à double insu contre placebo . Ils ont été répartis en trois groupes de 50 . Le groupe I a été le groupe témoin ; les patients du groupe II ont reçu 4 mg iv d’ondansétron juste avant l’induction de l’anesthésie ; chez les patients du groupe III , on a appliqué des b and es d’acupression aux point P6 . Des b and es d’acupression ont été placées de façon inappropriée chez les patients des groupes I et II . Les b and es ont été appliquées 30 min avant l’induction et enlevées six heures après l’opération . Lanesthésie a été normalisée . Les NVPO ont été évalués séparément comme inexistants , légers , modérés ou sévères pendant les six premières heures en salle de réveil , puis 24 h après l’opération par un observateur impartial . Si les patients vomissaient plus d’une fois , ils recevaient 4 mg d’ondansétron iv comme antiémétique de secours . Les résultats ont été analysés avec le test Z. Une valeur de P < 0,05 était considérée significative . RésultatsL’incidence de NVPO et les besoins de médication de secours ont été significativement plus faibles autant avec l’acupression qu’avec l’ondansétron pendant les six premières heures . Conclusion Lacupression en Pô réduit de façon significative l’incidence de NVPO et la nécessité d’antiémétique de secours pendant les six premières heures suivant la cholécystectomie laparoscopique . Son effet est donc similaire à celui de 4 mg iv d’ondansétron OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point for the in-patient treatment of severe nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy . STUDY DESIGN This was a prospect i ve single-blind r and omized control trial that involved 80 patients with nausea and vomiting plus ketonuria before 14 weeks of gestation . RESULTS There was no difference between length of stay , amount of medication , or fluid required between the acupressure and placebo groups , although acupressure reduced the number of patients who stayed > or = 4 nights in the hospital . Acupressure was well tolerated and not associated with an increase in perinatal morbidity or death . CONCLUSION The use of acupressure at the P6 point does not reduce the amount of antiemetic medication that is required , the requirement for intravenous fluid , and median duration of in-patient stay more than the use of placebo . A small reduction was seen in the number of women who required > or = 4 days in the hospital AIMS This paper reports an investigation of the effects of acupressure therapy on dyspnoea , anxiety and physiological indicators of heart rate and respiratory rate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease having mechanical ventilation support . BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are using mechanical ventilation often experience dyspnoea and anxiety , which affects successful ventilator use . METHODS The study had an experimental blocking design , using sex , age and length of ventilator use as a blocking factor . Qualified patients in two intermediate respiratory intensive care units were r and omly assigned to an acupressure group and a comparison group . A total of 52 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in northern Taiwan participated . Those in the experimental group received daily acupressure therapy and massage treatment for 10 days . Patients in the comparison group received massage treatment and h and holding . The primary outcome measures were the visual analogue scales for dyspnoea and anxiety , and physiological indicators of heart rate and respiratory rate . Data were collected every day from baseline ( day 1 ) , during the treatment ( days 2 - 10 ) and follow-up ( days 11 - 17 ) . Data were analysed using generalized estimation equations . The study was carried out in 2003 . RESULTS Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were using prolonged mechanical ventilatory support experienced high levels of dyspnoea and anxiety . Dyspnoea ( P = 0.009 ) , anxiety ( P = 0.011 ) and physiological indicators ( P < 0.0001 ) in the acupressure group improved statistically significantly over time when compared with those of the comparison group . CONCLUSIONS This results support the suggestion that acupressure therapy could decrease sympathetic stimulation and improve perceived symptoms of dyspnoea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are using prolonged mechanical ventilation BACKGROUND Nausea , and to a lesser extend vomiting , remain significant clinical problems after the administration of chemotherapy , with up to 60 % of patients reporting nausea despite use of antiemetics . Combining antiemetics with other non-pharmacological treatments may prove more effective in decreasing nausea than antiemetics alone . Hence , the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using acupressure in Pericardium 6 ( Neiguan ) acu-point in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting . METHODS This was a r and omised controlled trial . Acupressure was applied using wristb and s ( Sea-B and ) which patients in the experimental group had to wear for the 5 days following the chemotherapy administration . Assessment s of nausea , retching and vomiting were obtained from all patients daily for 5 days . Thirty-six patients completed the study from two centres in the UK , with 19 patients allocated to the control arm and 17 to the experimental arm . RESULTS It was found that nausea and retching experience , and nausea , vomiting and retching occurrence and distress were all significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group ( P<0.05 ) . The only exception was with the vomiting experience , which was close to significance ( P=0.06 ) . DISCUSSION Results highlight the important role of safe and convenient non-pharmacological complementary therapies , such as acupressure , in the management of the complex symptoms of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomiting are major adverse effects during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery . Stimulation of the P6 ( Neiguan ) acupoint is a traditional Chinese acupuncture technique used for effective antiemetic purpose s. In this study , we evaluated the antiemetic effect of P6 acupressure in parturients during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery . In a r and omized , double-blind , controlled trial , 110 parturients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were enrolled in the study . Thirty minutes before initiation of spinal anesthesia , parturients were r and omized to acupressure b and s or placebo b and s bilaterally on the P6 acupoint and nausea and vomiting were observed over the study period . There were no statistically significant differences in maternal characteristics . Incidence rates for intraoperative nausea were 64 % ( acupressure group ) and 71 % ( control group ) ( P = 0.416 ) , with an incidence of intraoperative vomiting of 22 % ( acupressure group ) and 27 % ( control group ) ( P = 0.506 ) . The results suggest that prophylactic use of acupressure b and s bilaterally on the P6 acupoint failed to prevent nausea and vomiting during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery The efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during and after Caesarean section was studied . A double-blind , r and omized controlled study of acupressure vs placebo was design ed . Ninety-four patients scheduled for Caesarean section were included . The anaesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were st and ardized . The use of acupressure reduced the incidence of nausea or vomiting from 53 % to 23 % compared with placebo ( 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) 0.34 - 0.25 ; P = 0.002 ) during the operation and from 66 % to 36 % compared with placebo ( 95 % CI 0.34 - 0.19 ; P = 0.003 ) after the operation . Other variables were similar between the groups 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 Question naire ; ( 3 ) the Menstrual Distress Question naire ; ( 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 Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in terms of disability , pain scores , and functional status . Design R and omised controlled trial . Setting Orthopaedic clinic in Kaohsiung , Taiwan . Participants 129 patients with chronic low back pain . Intervention Acupressure or physical therapy for one month . Main outcome measures Self administered Chinese versions of st and ard outcome measures for low back pain ( primary outcome : Rol and and Morris disability question naire ) at baseline , after treatment , and at six month follow-up . Results The mean total Rol and and Morris disability question naire score after treatment was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score ( - 3.8 , 95 % confidence interval - 5.7 to - 1.9 ) or mean change from the baseline ( - 4.64 , - 6.39 to - 2.89 ) . Acupressure conferred an 89 % ( 95 % confidence interval 61 % to 97 % ) reduction in significant disability compared with physical therapy . The improvement in disability score in the acupressure group compared with the physical group remained at six month follow-up . Statistically significant differences also occurred between the two groups for all six domains of the core outcome , pain visual scale , and modified Oswestry disability question naire after treatment and at six month follow-up . Conclusions Acupressure was effective in reducing low back pain in terms of disability , pain scores , and functional status . The benefit was sustained for six months BACKGROUND Although acupressure has been reported to be effective in managing various types of pain , its efficacy in relieving pain associated with low back pain ( LBP ) remains unclear . The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of acupressure with that of physical therapy in reducing low back pain . METHODS A r and omized controlled clinical trial in an orthopedic referral hospital in Taiwan was conducted between December 20 , 2000 , and March 2 , 2001 . A total of 146 participants with chronic low back pain were r and omly assigned to the acupressure group ( 69 ) or the physical therapy group ( 77 ) , each with a different treatment technique . Self-appraised pain scores were obtained before treatment as baseline and after treatment as outcomes using the Chinese version of Short-Form Pain Question naire ( SF-PQ ) . RESULTS There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among patients r and omized into the two groups . The mean of posttreatment pain score after a 4-week treatment ( 2.28 , SD = 2.62 ) in the acupressure group was significantly lower than that in the physical therapy group ( 5.05 , SD = 5.11 ) ( P = 0.0002 ) . At the 6-month follow-up assessment , the mean of pain score in the acupressure group ( 1.08 , SD = 1.43 ) was still significantly lower than that in the physical therapy group ( 3.15 , SD = 3.62 ) ( P = 0.0004 ) . CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that acupressure is another effective alternative medicine in reducing low back pain , although the st and ard operating procedures involved with acupressure treatment should be carefully assessed in the future The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure b and s , droperidol , and the combined modalities , administered preoperatively , in reducing PONV in inpatient gynecologic patients . One hundred and forty-three patients were r and omized to one of four groups : droperidol and acupressure b and s , droperidol and placebo b and s , placebo drug and acupressure b and s , or placebo drug and placebo b and s. Overall , during their hospital stay , 69 % of the women experienced PONV and 45 % experienced vomiting at some time . Although droperidol was most effective the day of surgery , neither acupressure b and s or droperidol were effective in reducing PONV Fatigue and depressive mood are the most significant symptoms experienced by patients with end-stage renal disease . The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of acupressure with massage in fatigue and depression in patients with end-stage renal disease ( ESRD ) receiving hemodialysis treatment . The study applied an experimental pretest and posttest design . Sixty-two hemodialysis patients participated in the study . Data were collected from two hemodialysis clinics in major hospitals in southern Taiwan . Following consent to the study , subjects were r and omly assigned to an acupressure group or a control group . Patients in the acupressure group received acupoint massage for 12 minutes per day , three days per week , for four weeks . Subjects in the control group only received routine unit care . The measures included the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale , and Beck ' s Depression Inventory . Descriptive statistics , chi 2 tests , t-test and analyses of covariance were used for data analysis . The results indicate that subjects experienced a moderate level of fatigue . Nearly 65 % of hemodialysis patients had a depressed mood . ANCOVA results indicated that fatigue ( F((1.54 ) ) = 9.05 , p = .004 ) and depression ( F((1.54 ) ) = 4.20 , p = .045 ) among patients in the acupressure group showed significantly greater improvement than patients in the control group . The findings of this study provide an interventional model for nurses taking care of ESRD patients OBJECTIVE To find out whether acupressure wristb and can alleviate  nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy . DESIGN Double-blind , placebo-controlled study . SUBJECTS 97 women with mean gestational length completed 8 - 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptoms were recorded according to intensity , duration and nature of complaints . RESULTS 71 % of women in the intervention group reported both less intensive morning sickness and reduced duration of symptoms . The same tendency was seen in the placebo group , with 59 % reporting less intensity and 63 % shorter duration of symptoms . However , a significance level of 5 % was reached only in the case of duration of symptoms , which was reduced by 2.74 hours in the intervention group compared to 0.85 hours in the placebo group ( p = 0.018 ) . CONCLUSIONS Acupressure wristb and might be an alternative therapy for morning sickness in early pregnancy , especially before pharmaceutical treatment is considered 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 r and omized into one of two groups , acupressure and control . In the acupressure group , acupressure b and s 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 st and ard 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 Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiemetic effect of acupuncture ( AP ) and acupressure ( APr ) of the Pc 6 acupoint in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum ( HG ) . Methods : A prospect i ve , placebo-controlled trial included 36 pregnant women with HG . Two methods of acupuncture were used : bilateral manual AP of the Pc 6 ( Neiguan ) acupoint ( group 1 , n = 10 ) and bilateral APr of the Pc 6 acupoint ( group 2 , n = 11 ) ; furthermore , superficial intracutaneous placebo AP ( group 3 , n = 8) and placebo APr ( group 4 , n = 7 ) was carried out . Results : Anxiodepressive symptoms occurred in 9 pregnant women with HG from group 1 , 8 women from group 2 , 7 women from group 3 , and 5 women from group 4 ( p < 0.001 ) . The average gestation age at the occurrence of HG symptoms and the beginning of treatment was 7 weeks in group 1 and 8 weeks in groups 2 , 3 , and 4 . Four women from group 1 and 7 women from groups 2 , 3 , an 4 needed intravenous compensation of liquid and electrolytes . The  antiemetic metoclopramide was given intravenously to 1 woman from group 1 , 2 women from group 2 , 6 women from group 3 , and 4 women from group 4 . Promethazine was given to 1 woman from group 2 , 1 woman from group 3 , and to 3 women from group 4 . The efficiency of the HG treatment with AP of the point Pc 6 was 90 % , with APr of the Pc 6 63.6 % , with placebo AP 12.5 % , and with placebo APr 0 % . Conclusion : Acupuncture ( p < 0.0001 ) and acupressure ( p < 0.1 ) are effective , nonpharmacologic methods for the treatment of HG 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 r and omized block experimental design was used . Using age , sex , pulmonary function , smoking , and steroid use as matching factors , 44 patients were r and omly 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 Question naire-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 OBJECTIVES To develop and test the safety and effectiveness of an acupressure garment ( the Relief Brief ) in decreasing the pain and symptom distress associated with dysmenorrhea . DESIGN A r and omized clinical trial applied a 2 ( Relief Brief use or control group ) x 3 ( baseline and two treatment measurement occasions ) mixed factorial design . PARTICIPANTS Sixty-one ( 61 ) women with moderately severe primary dysmenorrhea were r and omly assigned to the st and ard treatment control group  or the  Relief Brief acupressure device group after one pretreatment menses , with 58 women reporting the effect on their pain during two post-treatment menstrual cycles . The acupressure garment : The Relief Brief is a cotton Lycra panty brief with a fixed number of lower abdominal and lower back latex foam acupads that provide pressure to dysmenorrhea-relieving Chinese acupressure points . OUTCOME MEASURES Menstrual pain severity ( worst pain and symptom intensity ) , pain medication use , and adverse effects were analyzed using between-groups and repeated measures analyses of treatment effects . Statistical and clinical significance criteria were applied a priori . RESULTS For pain measures and pain medication use , the group main effect , time main effect and group x time interaction were statistically significant . Median pain medication use , the same for both groups at baseline ( 6 pills per day ) , dropped to 2 pills per day for the Relief Brief group but remained at 6 pills for the control group at the second treatment cycle . Predicted clinical significance criteria were surpassed : almost all ( 90 % ) women wearing the Relief Brief obtained at least a 25 % reduction in menstrual pain severity ( a 2 - 3 point drop ) compared to only 8 % of the control group ( z = 6.07 ; p < 0.05 ) . Relief Brief use was associated with at least a 50 % decline in menstrual pain symptom intensity in more than two thirds of the women . CONCLUSIONS An acupressure device is an effective and safe nonpharmacologic strategy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea . With design modifications , it could serve as a main treatment modality for women who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea and do not wish to or can not use the conventional pharmacologic agents . In addition , this acupressure device may serve as an adjuvant therapy to medication in more severe cases of dysmenorrhea OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of continuous PC6 acupressure as an adjunct to antiemetic drug therapy in the prevention and control of nausea and vomiting in the first 24h after myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) . DESIGN Partially r and omised , partially blinded placebo-controlled , exploratory clinical study . SETTING Coronary Care Unit , Torbay Hospital , Torquay , Devon . PARTICIPANTS A total of 301 consecutive patients ( 205 males , 96 females ) admitted following acute MI . INTERVENTION The first 125 patients recruited received no additional intervention . Subsequent patients were r and omised to receive either continuous PC6 acupressure or placebo acupressure . OUTCOME MEASURES ( 1 ) Incidence of post-MI nausea and /or vomiting , ( 2 ) severity of symptoms , ( 3 ) use of antiemetic drugs , over 24h . RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups for the whole 24-h treatment period . However , the PC6 acupressure group experienced significantly lower incidence of nausea and /or vomiting during the last 20h ( 18 % ) , compared with the placebo ( 32 % ) or control ( 43 % ) groups ( P<0.05 ) . The severity of symptoms and the need for antiemetic drugs were also reduced in the acupressure group , but these differences were not statistically significant . CONCLUSIONS Continuous 24-h PC6 acupressure therapy as an adjunct to st and ard antiemetic medication for post-MI nausea and vomiting is feasible and is well accepted and tolerated by patients . In view of its benefits , further studies are worthwhile using earlier onset of treatment BACKGROUND Pain during transportation is a common phenomenon in emergency medicine . As acupressure has been deemed effective for pain management by the National Institutes of Health , we conducted a study to evaluate its effectiveness in prehospital patients with isolated distal radial fracture . METHODS This was a prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind study . Thirty-two patients were enrolled .  Acupressure was performed either at " true " points or at " sham " points .  Vital signs and pain and anxiety scores were recorded before and after the acupressure treatment . Normally distributed values were compared using the Student t test . RESULTS Pretreatment scores for pain and anxiety were similar in the 2 groups ( 47.6 + /- 8.9 vs 51.2 + /- 8.7 visual analog scale [ VAS ] score for pain , 52.4 + /- 6.0 vs 47.5 + /- 9.3 VAS score for anxiety ) . At the hospital , patients in the true-points group had significantly lower pain ( 36.6 + /- 11.0 vs 56.0 + /- 13.3 VAS score , P < .001 ) and anxiety scores ( 34.9 + /- 22.2 vs 53.4 + /- 19.7 VAS score , P = .022 ) . CONCLUSION Acupressure in the prehospital setting effectively reduces pain and anxiety in patients with distal radial trauma Untreated pain during the transportation of patients after minor trauma is a common problem in emergency medicine . Because paramedics usually are not allowed to perform invasive procedures or to give drugs for pain treatment , a noninvasive , nondrug-based method would be helpful . Acupressure is a traditional Chinese treatment for pain that is based on pain relief followed by a short mechanical stimulation of specific points . Consequently , we tested the hypothesis that effective pain therapy is possible by paramedics who are trained in acupressure . In a double-blinded trial we included 60 trauma patients . We r and omly assigned them into three groups ( “ true points , ” “ sham-points , ” and “ no acupressure ” ) . An independent observer , blinded to the treatment assignment , recorded vital variables and visual analog scales for pain and anxiety before and after treatment . At the end of transport , we asked for ratings of overall satisfaction . For statistical evaluation , one-way analysis of variance and the Scheffé F test were used . P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant . Morphometric and demographic data and potential confounding factors such as age , sex , pain , anxiety , blood pressure , and heart rate before treatment did not differ among the groups . At the end of transport we found significantly less pain , anxiety , and heart rate and a greater satisfaction in the “ true points ” groups ( P < 0.01 ) . Our results show that acupressure is an effective and simple-to-learn treatment of pain in emergency trauma care and leads to an improvement of the quality of care in emergency transport . We suggest that this technique is easy to learn and risk free and may improve paramedic-based rescue systems 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 , r and omized 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 r and omized 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 r and om 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 The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of acupressure therapy  in preventing chemotherapy-associated nausea in children . A prospect i ve , r and omized , crossover trial was conducted among pediatric oncology patients at Brenner Children 's Hospital ( Winston-Salem , NC ) . Patients were r and omized to one of two treatment sequences involving acupressure wrist b and s and placebo b and s , separated by a st and ard care treatment with no b and s. All patients received st and ard antiemetic therapy for each treatment . Expectations and outcomes of nausea and vomiting were assessed by question naires . Of 21 patients approached , 21 were enrolled and 18 completed all three study treatments . Patients ' ages ranged from 5 to 19 years , 14 of 18 were Caucasian , and 9 were male . In general , patients expressed moderate expectations that acupressure would prevent nausea and vomiting . Following the session with an acupressure b and , a third of all patients reported better than expected nausea prevention . There was no significant difference in nausea or vomiting between the three groups ; there were no significant side effects from acupressure or placebo b and s. Pediatric oncology patients have moderate expectations about the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing nausea and vomiting . Acupressure is feasible and well tolerated but was not more effective than placebo in this sample of patients who were also treated with st and ard antiemetic therapies Purpose To investigate the effect of sensory stimulation of the P6 point on postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV )  after gynecological surgery in the everyday clinical setting ( effectiveness study ) . Methods Four hundred and ten women undergoing general anesthesia for elective gynecological surgery were included in a prospect i ve , consecutive , r and omized , multicentre , placebo-controlled , double-blind clinical trial with a reference group . One group was given bilateral P6 acupressure ( n = 135 ) , a second group similar pressure on bilateral non-acupressure points ( n = 139 ) , and a third group ( n = 136 ) served as reference  group . Nausea ( scale 0–6 ) , vomiting , pain , and satisfaction with the treatment were recorded . Primary outcome was complete response , i.e. , no nausea , vomiting or rescue medication for 24 hr . Results were analyzed by applying logistic regression with indicators of treatments , type of operation and risk score for PONV as explanatory variables . Results Complete response was more frequent in the P6 acupressure group than in the reference group ( P = 0.0194 ) Conversely , the incidence of PONV was 46 % in the reference group , 38 % after pressure on a non-acupoint and 33 % after P6 acupressure . The decrease from 46 % to 33 % was statistically significant . When considering vaginal cases separately , the decrease in PONV was from 36 % to 20 % ( P = 0.0168 ) . The corresponding decrease from 59 % to 55 % in the laparoscopic surgery group was not statistically significant . Conclusion P6 acupressure is a non-invasive method that may have a place as prophylactic antiemetic therapy during gynecological surgery . RésuméObjectifRechercher l’effet d’une stimulation sensorielle acupressive en P6 sur les nausées et vomissements postopératoires ( NVPO ) à la suite d’une intervention chirurgicale gynécologique dans un cadre clinique normal ( étude d’efficacité).MéthodeUn essai clinique prospect if , r and omisé , multicentrique , en double aveugle contre placebo et comportant un groupe de référence a été réalisé auprès de 410 femmes qui se sont présentées successivement pour une intervention gynécologique non urgente sous anesthésie générale . Les patientes d’un premier groupe ont reçu de l’acupression en P6 ( n = 135 ) , celles d’un second groupe ont reçu une  pression semblable sur des points bilatéraux , non d’acupression , ( n = 139 ) et un troisième groupe ( n = 136 ) a servi de référence . Les nausées ( échelle de 0–6 ) , les vomissements , la douleur et la satisfaction face au traitement ont été notés . Le premier résultat était une réponse complète , donc absence de nausées , de vomissements ou de médication de secours pendant 24 h. Les résultats ont été analysés par régression logistique avec des indicateurs de traitements , le type d’intervention et le taux de risque de NVPO comme variables explicatives . RésultatsLa réponse complète a été plus fréquente avec l’acupression en P6 que chez les patientes témoins ( P = 0,0194 ) . Inversement , l’incidence de NVPO a été de 46 % dans le groupe de référence , 38 % après une pression de points non acupresseurs et 33 % après l’acupression en P6 . La diminution de 46 % à 33 % était significative . L’examen séparé des cas d’intervention vaginale indique une baisse des NVPO de 36 % à 20 % ( P = 0,0168 ) . La baisse correspondante de 59 % à 55 % dans les cas d’intervention laparoscopique n’était pas significative . Conclusion L’acupression en P6 représente une méthode non effractive de traitement antiémétique prophylactique qui peut avoir sa place pendant une intervention gynécologique The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of acupressure and Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation ( TEAS ) on fatigue , sleep quality and depression in patients who were receiving routine hemodialysis treatment . The study was a r and omized controlled trial ; qualified patients were r and omly assigned to acupressure , TEAS or control groups . Patients in the acupressure and TEAS groups received 15 minutes of treatment 3 times a week for 1 month , whereas patients in the control group only received routine unit care .  A total of 106 patients participated in the study . Methods of measurement included the revised Piper Fatigue Scale ( PFS ) , the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Beck Depression Inventory . Data were collected at baseline , during the intervention and post-treatment . The results indicated that patients in the acupressure and TEAS groups had significantly lower levels of fatigue , a better sleep quality and less depressed moods compared with patients in the control group based upon the adjusted baseline differences . However , there were no differences between acupressure and TEAS groups in outcome measures . This study provides an alternative method for health care providers in managing dialysis patients with symptoms of fatigue , poor sleep or depression OBJECTIVE To compare the antiemetic effect of acupressure at the Neiguan point ( P6 ) in a group of healthy women with normal pregnancy and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy ( NVP ) with a similar group receiving acupressure at a placebo point and another , similar group not receiving any treatment . STUDY DESIGN A r and omized , placebo-controlled , pilot study involving 60 women . RESULTS It is possible to reduce NVP significantly with acupressure at P6 as compared to acupressure at a placebo point or no treatment at all in healthy women with normal pregnancies .  Relief from nausea appeared one day after starting treatment in both the P6 and placebo groups but lasted for only six days in the placebo group . The P6 group , however , experienced significantly less nausea after 14 days as compared to the other two groups . CONCLUSION This study involved 60 healthy women with normal pregnancy and suffering from NVP . According to the results , in healthy women with normal pregnancy it is possible to reduce NVP significantly at P6 as compared to acupressure at a placebo point and to no treatment BACKGROUND Post-operative nausea and vomiting is a common complication following general anaesthesia . Traditional Chinese medicine indicates that acupressure therapy may reduce nausea and vomiting in certain ailments . AIM ( S ) OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to examine the effect of stimulating two acupressure points on prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting . DESIGN AND METHODS A r and omized block experimental design was used . The Rhodes Index of Nausea , Vomiting and Retching ( INVR ) question naire was used as a tool to measure incidence . To control the motion sickness variable , the subjects who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery ( FESS ) under general anaesthesia were r and omly assigned to a finger-pressing group , a wrist-b and group , and a control group . There were 150 subjects in total with each group consisting of 50 subjects . The acupoints and treatment times were similar in the finger-pressing group and wrist-b and pressing group , whereas only conversation was employed in the control group . RESULTS Significant differences in the incidence of the post-operative nausea and vomiting were found between the acupressure , wrist-b and , and control groups , with a reduction in the incidence rate of nausea from 73.0 % to 43.2 % and vomiting incidence rate from 90.5 % to 42.9 % in the former . The amount of vomitus and the degree of discomfort were , respectively , less and lower in the former group . CONCLUSION In view of the total absence of side-effects in acupressure , its application is worthy of use . This study confirmed the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese acupressure is a noninvasive technique that employs pressure and massage to acupoints in order to stimulate the balance of life energy that promotes health and comfort . Sleep disturbance is common in patients with end-stage renal disease but no intervention studies have addressed this problem . Aim . The purpose of the present study was to test the effectiveness of acupoints massage for patients with end-stage renal disease and experiencing sleep disturbances and diminished quality of life .  METHODS The study was a r and omized control trial . A total of 98 end-stage renal disease patients with sleep disturbances  were r and omly assigned into an acupressure group , a sham acupressure group , and a control group . Acupressure and sham acupressure group patients received acupoints or no acupoints massage three times a week during haemodialysis treatment for a total of 4 weeks . The measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index , Sleep Log , and the Medical Outcome Study - Short Form 36 . FINDINGS The results indicated significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index subscale scores of subjective sleep quality , sleep duration , habitual sleep efficiency , sleep sufficiency , and global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores . Sleep log data revealed that the acupressure group significantly decreased wake time and experienced an improved quality of sleep at night over the control group . Medical Outcome Study - Short Form 36 data also documented that acupressure group patients experienced significantly improved quality of life . CONCLUSION This study supports the effectiveness of acupoints massage in improving the quality of sleep and life quality of end-stage renal disease patients , and offers a noninvasive therapy for sleep-disturbed patients PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To compare differences in nausea experience and intensity in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer between those receiving usual care plus acupressure training and treatment and those receiving only usual care .  DESIGN Single-cycle , r and omized clinical trial . SETTING Outpatient oncology clinic in a major teaching medical center and a private outpatient oncology practice . SAMPLE Seventeen women participated in the study . The typical participant was 49.5 years old ( SD = 6.0 ) , Caucasian ( 59 % ) , not married/partnered ( 76 % ) , on disability ( 53 % ) , born a U.S. citizen ( 76 % ) , and heterosexual ( 88 % ) ; lived alone ( 59 % ) ; had at least graduated from high school ( 100 % ) ; and had an annual personal income of $ 50,000 or greater ( 65 % ) . METHODS The intervention included finger acupressure bilaterally at P6 and ST36 , acupressure points located on the forearm and by the knee . Baseline and post study question naires plus a daily log were used to collect data . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Nausea experience measured by the Rhodes inventory of Nausea , Vomiting , and Retching and nausea intensity . FINDINGS Significant differences existed between the two groups in regard to nausea experience ( p < 0.01 ) and nausea intensity ( p < 0.04 ) during the first 10 days of the chemotherapy cycle , with the acupressure group reporting less intensity and experience of nausea . CONCLUSIONS Finger acupressure may decrease nausea among women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING PRACTICE This study must be replicated prior to advising patients about the efficacy of acupressure for the treatment of nausea The purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure on fatigue in patients with end-stage renal-disease ( ESRD ) . The study was a r and omized control trial ; qualified patients were r and omly assigned into acupressure group , sham group or control group .  A total of 106 participants were included in the study . The measures included the revised Piper Fatigue Scale ( PFS ) , VAS of Fatigue , the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Beck Depression Inventory . Data of fatigue measures were collected at pretreatment and a week following treatment . Sleep quality and depression were collected during post-test only . The statistical methods included the descriptive statistics , one-way ANOVA , ANCOVA , and repeated- measures ANOVA . ANCOVA that adjusted for differences in baseline fatigue scores ( PFS ) , post-test of depression and sleep quality , result was significant , F(2,100)=3.99 , p=0.02 . Post-hoc tests revealed that patients in the acupressure group were significantly having lower scores of fatigue than patients in the control group . ANCOVA results also significant for VAS of Fatigue among groups , F(2,100)=5.63 , p=0.003 . Comparisons indicated that there were significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group ( p=0.01 ) and between the sham group and control group ( p=0.003 ) . Predialysis fatigue was assessed routinely by using a rating of 0 - 10 . Repeated- measures ANOVA results demonstrate the group main effect was significant in the perceived fatigue ( F(2,88)=19.46 , p<0.001 ) . Follow-up tests indicated there were significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group ( p<0.001 ) and between the sham group and control group ( p<0.001 ) . The study provided an alternative method for health care providers to managing ESRD patients with fatigue AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine and compare the effects of acupressure on the perceived health-related quality of life of the participants with bronchiectasis . BACKGROUND In an attempt to offer comfort , pain control and symptom management , nursing is becoming increasingly involved in offering complementary-alternative medicine as part of its caring-healing focus in comprehensive patient care . Acupressure is one such modality that is being increasingly used by both medical and nursing professionals . While acupressure has been reported to have beneficial effects in patients with respiratory disease , the benefits to bronchiectasis patients have remained uncertain . DESIGN A r and omized , partially blinded study consisting of three groups . METHODS Thirty-five out- patients of both genders , aged 59.46 SD 11.52 years , who were suffering from bronchiectasis , were r and omly split into one of three groups : st and ard care with supplemental acupressure for eight weeks ( 11 participants ) ; st and ard care with supplemental sham acupressure for eight weeks ( 11 participants ) ; and st and ard care alone ( 13 participants ) . Outcomes were determined by changes in daily sputum amounts , sputum self- assessment , six-minute walking distance , breathing difficulty ( measured on the dyspnea visual analogue scale ) and health-related quality of life ( measured by the Saint George Respiratory Question naire ) . RESULTS The sputum self- assessment score improved over time for the sham acupressure participants ( P = 0.03 ) , when compared with the controls . For acupressure participants , the Saint George respiratory question naire activity component scores also improved over time , compared with controls ( P = 0.01 ) after adjustment for covariates ( treatment , time , age , sex and baseline values ) . Other variables did not differ between the st and ard care alone group and the other two groups . CONCLUSIONS Eight weeks of self-administered acupressure could be useful in reducing the effects of bronchiectasis on a patient 's daily activities . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Acupressure may be regarded as a viable nursing intervention OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SP6 acupressure on labor pain and delivery time in women in labor . DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . SETTING /LOCATION Delivery room in a university hospital . PARTICIPANTS Seventy-five ( 75 ) women in labor were r and omly assigned to either the SP6 acupressure ( n = 36 ) or SP6 touch control ( n = 39 ) group . The participants were matched according to parity , cervical dilation , labor stage , rupture of amniotic membrane , and husb and 's presence during labor . There were no additional oxytocin augmentation or administration of analgesics during the study period . INTERVENTION The 30-minute acupressure or touch on SP6 acupoint was performed . OUTCOME MEASURES Labor pain was measured four times using a structured question naire , a subjective labor pain scale ( visual-analogue scale [ VAS ] ) : before intervention , immediately after the intervention , and 30 and 60 minutes after the intervention . Length of delivery time was calculated in two stages : from 3 cm cervical dilation to full cervical dilatation , and full cervical dilatation to the delivery . RESULTS There were significant differences between the groups in subjective labor pain scores at all time points following the intervention : immediately after the intervention ( p = 0.012 ) ; 30 minutes after the intervention ( p = 0.021 ) ; and 60 minutes after the intervention ( p = 0.012 ) . The total labor time ( 3 cm dilatation to delivery ) was significantly shorter in the SP6 acupressure intervention group than in the control group ( p = 0.006 ) . CONCLUSIONS These findings showed that SP6 acupressure was effective for decreasing labor pain and shortening the length of delivery time .  SP6 acupressure can be an effective nursing management for women in labor As an adjunct to st and ard antiemetics for the relief of  chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting ( NV ) , 739 patients were r and omly assigned to either : 1 ) acupressure b and s , 2 ) an acustimulation b and , or 3 ) a no b and control condition . Patients in the acupressure condition experienced less nausea on the day of treatment compared to controls ( P<0.05 ) . There were no significant differences in delayed nausea or vomiting among the three treatment conditions . Additional analyses revealed pronounced gender differences . Men in the acustimulation condition , but not the acupressure condition , had less NV compared to controls ( P<0.05 ) . No significant differences among the three treatment conditions were observed in women , although the reduction in nausea on the day of treatment in the acupressure , compared to the no b and condition , closely approached statistical significance ( P=0.052 ) . Expected efficacy of the b and s was related to outcomes for the acupressure but not the acustimulation conditions Ann Saudi Med 28(4 ) July-August 2008 www.saudiannals.net 287 Nausea and vomiting almost always occur aft ter general and regional anesthesia . Despite minimally invasive surgical methods like lapt aroscopy and rapidt and shorttacting anesthesia , naut sea and vomiting after surgery remain a common probt lem.1t5 Nausea and vomiting can result in dehydration , electrolyte imbalance and delay in discharge from the hospital . Serious complications , such as pressure on the suture lines and venous hypertension , may also occur . The incidence of posttoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) has been estimated as 60 % to 70 % following laparoscopic cholecystecomy.6t11 Various factors can int fluence PONV , such as the type of surgery , anesthesia technique , certain drugs , pain and vertigo upon walkt ing . In Chinese and acupuncture medicine , the P6 ( neit guam ) meridian point is recognized as a target point for reducing nausea and vomiting.12t17 Several studies have shown that stimulus of P6 results in a reduction in the incidence of nausea and vomiting after surgery.8,11t13 A Cochrane systemic review concluded that P6 acuprest sure point stimulation seems to reduce the risk of naut sea despite conflicting results in r and omized trials.18 Our study investigated the effect of placement of acut pressure wristb and s at the P6 point in decreasing naut sea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy  in comparison with metoclopramide 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 r and omized controlled trial ; qualified patients in the dialysis centers of four major hospitals were r and omly 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 OBJECTIVE To determine whether the application of acupressure b and s would lead to a reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting after cardiac surgery . DESIGN Prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind clinical trial . SETTING University-affiliated tertiary care teaching hospital . PARTICIPANTS Adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery . INTERVENTIONS One hundred fifty-two patients were enrolled to receive either acupressure treatment ( n = 75 ) or placebo ( n = 77 ) . All patients had acupressure b and s placed on both wrists before induction of anesthesia ; those in the treatment group had a bead placed in contact with the P6 point on the forearm . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patients were assessed for nausea , vomiting , and pain scores during the first 24 hours of the postoperative period . The incidences of nausea , vomiting , pain scores , and analgesic and antiemetic requirements were similar between the 2 groups . A subgroup analysis by gender implied that acupressure treatment may be effective only in female patients . CONCLUSION Acupressure treatment did not lead to a reduction in nausea , vomiting , or antiemetic requirements in patients after cardiac surgery Acupressure is said to promote the circulation of blood and qi , the harmony of yin and yang , and the secretion of neurotransmitters , thus maintaining the normal functions of the human body and providing comfort . However , there has been little research -based evidence to support the positive effects of acupressure in the area of obstetric nursing . The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of LI4 and BL67 acupressure on labor pain and uterine contractions during the first stage of labor . An experimental study with a pretest and posttest control group design was utilized . A total of 127 parturient women were r and omly assigned to three groups . Each group received only one of the following treatments , LI4 and BL67 acupressure , light skin stroking , or no treatment/conversation only . Data collected from the VAS and external fetal monitoring strips were used for analysis . Findings indicated that there was a significant difference in decreased labor pain during the active phase of the first stage of labor among the three groups . There was no significant difference in effectiveness of uterine contractions during the first stage of labor among the three groups . Results of the study confirmed the effect of LI4 and BL67 acupressure in lessening labor pain during the active phase of the first stage of labor . There were no verified effects on uterine contractions AIM This paper is a report of a study to examine the effect of Nei-Guan point acupressure on nausea , vomiting and ketonuria levels in women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum . BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that acupressure application on the Nei-Guan point is effective in relieving nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and surgery . However , no findings have been supported by physiological data . METHOD A r and omized control group pretest-post-test design was implemented from 1 April 2003 to 30 April 2004 using three groups : a Nei-Guan point acupressure group , a placebo group and a control group which received only conventional intravenous treatment .  The participants were 66 women admitted to two general hospitals in Korea with hyperemesis gravidarum . RESULTS The degree of nausea and vomiting was statistically significantly lower in the Nei-Guan point acupressure group in comparison with the placebo and control groups . Ketonuria levels were reduced over time and , on days three and four of hospitalization , levels in the treatment group were statistically significantly lower than in the placebo or control groups ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Nei-Guan point acupressure is a useful treatment for relieving symptoms experienced by women with hyperemesis gravidarum BACKGROUND Cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy is a difficult symptom to manage in practice and the most disruptive symptom in patients ' lives . Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy among cancer patients and some evidence exists that it could potentially alleviate fatigue by stimulating ' energy ' points in the body . Hence , this study was carried out to assess the effects of acupuncture and acupressure in managing cancer-related fatigue and the feasibility of running a r and omised trial with these two complementary therapies in preparation for a large trial . METHODS This study was a r and omised controlled trial . Forty-seven patients with cancer who experienced moderate to severe fatigue were r and omised either to an acupuncture group ( n=15 ) , an acupressure group ( n=16 ) or a sham acupressure group ( n=16 ) . The acupuncture group received six 20-min sessions over 2 weeks , while the patients in the two acupressure groups were taught to massage/press the points and did so daily thereafter for 2 weeks on their own . Patients completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory before r and omisation , at the end of the 2-week intervention and again about 2 weeks after the end of the intervention . RESULTS Significant improvements were found with regards to General fatigue ( P<0.001 ) , Physical fatigue ( P=0.016 ) , Activity ( p=0.004 ) and Motivation ( P=0.024 ) . At the end of the intervention , there was a 36 % improvement in fatigue levels in the acupuncture group , while the acupressure group improved by 19 % and the sham acupressure by 0.6 % . Improvements were observed even 2 weeks after treatments , although they were lower ( 22 % , 15 % , 7 % , respectively ) . Acupuncture was a more effective method than acupressure or sham acupressure . Subjects needed a longer treatment period to have more sustained results . The trial was method ologically feasible . CONCLUSION Acupuncture shows great potential in the management of cancer-related fatigue . As a r and omised trial with acupuncture is feasible and preliminary data shows significant improvements , it should be tested further using a large sample and a multicentre design AIM Insomnia is a major problem which decreases life quality . Many causes are involved with it and anxiety is often associated . The underlying mechanism is not completely understood , even though different factors seem to be associated . Among them melatonin and its circadian rhythm is thought to have an important role . In addition , acupressure and acupuncture are known to ameliorate insomnia and anxiety , when a specific wrist point is stimulated ( HT 7 Shenmen ) . With these bases , the aim of the present study has been to evaluate the efficacy of an acupressure device , ' ' H7-insomnia control ' ' , positioned on HT 7 points , during the night , in terms of general health and anxiety levels , together with the evaluation of sleep quality and the urinary melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulphate determination , in a number of insomniacs . METHODS Forty patients with insomnia were divided into two groups and r and omly received either the H7 or placebo treatments , in a double-blind protocol , for 20 nights . Before and after treatments every subject answered a series of question naires ( General Health Question naire 28 items ; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ) and collected 24 h urines , divided into two sample s of 12 h each . Urinary melatonin metabolite was then determined using a RIA method . RESULTS Data obtained indicate that the device H7-insomnia control is efficacious to ameliorate quality of sleep and reduce anxiety levels in insomniacs , at a higher extent than in the placebo group . In addition , the 24 hours urinary melatonin metabolite rhythm , obtained at the end of treatment , was considered as being normal in a higher percentage of H7-treated patients , with respect to the placebo group . CONCLUSION It is plausible to hypothesize that the wrist acupressure device might be considered a valid tool , without adverse effects since it does not contain pharmaceutical products , that is able to naturally ameliorate sleep quality in insomniacs , acting through a not jet completely clarified mechanism , that may involve melatonin OBJECTIVES Acupuncture and acupressure are known to relieve symptoms associated with asthma , but the benefits to patients with chronic obstructive asthma have not been fully evaluated . In this pilot clinical study , acupuncture or acupressure was incorporated into the st and ard care for adult patients with chronic obstructive asthma to determine their contribution to the improvement of their quality of life and relief of symptoms . DESIGN A prospect i ve , r and omized study that involved 8 weeks of treatment at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital ( Tao-Yuan , Taiwan ) was conducted between March 1997 and September 1998 . Forty-one ( n = 41 ) patients with chronic obstructive asthma were enrolled . Patients were r and omly assigned to receive acupuncture in addition to st and ard care ( n = 11 ) , acupressure and st and ard care ( n = 17 ) , or st and ard care alone ( n = 13 ) . Twenty ( 20 ) acupuncture treatments were administered , and self-administered acupressure was performed daily for 8 weeks . Six-minute walking , the Dyspnea Visual Analogue Scale , the modified Borg scale , St. George 's Respiratory Question naire ( SGRQ ) , and the Bronchitis Emphysema Symptom Checklist ( BESC ) were used at the beginning and end of the 8 weeks of treatment . RESULTS The total SGRQ score of acupuncture subjects showed an average 18.5-fold improvement ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 1.54 - 211.48 , p = 0.02 ) ; the improvement for the acupressure subjects was 6.57-fold ( 95 % C.I. 0.98 - 44.00 , p = 0.05 ) . Additionally , for patients who received acupressure , the irritability domain score determined by the BESC exhibited an 11.8-fold improvement ( 95 % C.I. 0.88 - 158.64 , p = 0.06 ) after adjustment for covariables . The other variables did not differ from those of the controls . CONCLUSIONS Patients with clinical ly stable , chronic obstructive asthma experienced clinical ly significant improvements in quality of life when their st and ard care was supplemented with acupuncture or acupressure Previous studies have shown that acupressure b and s can reduce  chemotherapy-related nausea .  Patients ' expectations of efficacy account for part of this outcome . We conducted a three-arm r and omized clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure b and s in controlling radiation therapy-induced nausea and to test whether an informational manipulation design ed to increase expectation of efficacy would enhance the effectiveness of the acupressure b and s.  Patients who experienced nausea at prior treatments were r and omized to either st and ard care  ( Arm 1 , n=29 ) or st and ard care plus acupressure b and s with either neutral ( Arm 2 , n=30 ) or positive ( Arm 3 , n=29 ) information regarding the efficacy of the b and s. Patients reported nausea for two days prior to r and omization ( baseline ) and for five days following using a seven-point semantic rating scale ( 1=not nauseated to 7=extremely nauseated ) . Patients in Arms 2 and 3 combined reported greater reduction in average nausea than patients in Arm 1 ( P=0.01 ; mean(b and s)=0.70 , mean(no b and s)=0.10 ) . This equates to a 23.8 % decrease in nausea in the b and groups compared to a 4.8 % decrease in the control group , a 19 % difference . The informational manipulation failed to alter efficacy expectations and there was no statistically significant difference in nausea between patients in Arms 2 and 3 . Acupressure b and s are an effective , low-cost , nonintrusive , well-accepted , and safe adjunct to st and ard antiemetic medication . An attempt to boost the efficacy of the acupressure b and s by providing positive information was not successful Purpose : To evaluate the efficacy of acupressure wristb and s in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( PONV ) . Methods : Two hundred ASAI - II patients undergoing elective endoscopic urological procedures were included in a r and omized , prospect i ve , double blind , placebo-controlled study . Spherical beads of acupressure wristb and s were placed at the P6 points in the anterior surface of both forearms in Group 1 patients ( acupressure group , n=100 ) whereas , in Group 2(control group , n=100 ) they were placed inappropriately on the posterior surface . The acupressure wristb and s were applied 30 min before induction of anesthesia and were removed six hours postoperatively . Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen , fentanly , isoflurane and vecuronium . The tracheas were extubated on the operation table after patients received neostigmine and atropine . Post operative nausea and vomiting were evaluated separately as none , mild , moderate or severe at the time of patient ’s arrival in PACU , then at six hours and twenty-four hours after surgery by a blinded observer . Results : In the acupressure group , 25 patients had PONV compared with 29 patients in the control group ( P = NS ) . Conclusion : Application of acupressure wristb and s at the P6 of both forearms 30 min before induction of anesthesia did not decrease the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing endoscopic urological procedures .RésuméObjectif : Évaluer l’efficacité de bracelets d’acupression utilisés pour la prévention des nausées et des vomissements postopératoires (NVPO).Méthode : Deux cents patients , ASA I – II , devant subir une intervention urologique endoscopique planifiée ont participé à l’étude r and omisée , prospect i ve et à double insu contre placebo . Des bracelets de billes d’acupression ont été placés aux points P6 de la face antérieure des deux avant-bras des patients du Groupe 1 ( groupe d’acupression , n=100 ) t and is que dans le Groupe 2 , ( groupe témoin , n=100 ) , ils l’ont été , de façon inappropriée , sur la face postérieure . On les a appliqués 30 min avant l’induction de l’anesthésie et retirés six heures après l’opération . L’anesthésie comportait du thiopental , à l’induction , et du protoxyde d’azote , de l’oxygène , du fentanyl , de l’isoflurane et du vécuronium . L’extubation trachéale a eu lieu à la salle d’opération après l’administration de néostigmine et d’atropine . Un observateur objectif a évalué les nausées et les vomissements postopératoires comme absents , légers , modérés ou sévères au moment où le patient est arrivé à la salle de réveil , puis six et vingt-quatre heures après l’opération . Résultats : Dans le groupe d’acupression , 25 patients ont eu des NVPO , comparativement à 29 patients du groupe témoin ( P = NS ) . Conclusion : L’application de bracelets d’acupression en P6 aux deux avant-bras , 30 min avant l’induction de l’anesthésie , n’a pas diminué l’incidence de NVPO chez des patients qui subissent une intervention urologique endoscopique
CONTEXT Acupressure is a noninvasive strategy used to manage various symptoms .
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article was to review r and omized controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of acupressure for the management of symptoms .