Hsiung, W.T., Chang, Y.C., Yeh, M.L., & Chang, Y.H. (2015). Acupressure improves the postoperative comfort of gastric cancer patients: A randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23, 339–346.
To determine if acupressure affects the postoperative comfort of patients following subtotal gastrectomy
Patients were randomized to acupressure care and control groups. Control patients received usual care. The acupressure group received the intervention for three days. Pressure to the P6 and ST36 acupoints on both sides was applied for 12 minutes using the thumb to apply pressure followed by release, kneading of the area, and release again for each site. The intervention was provided by a trained researcher. Data were obtained at baseline and after the intervention, which began the second day after surgery. Experimental and control patients were placed in different wards in the hospital.
Randomized, controlled trial
There were no significant differences in the trends for pain or postoperative nausea and vomiting between groups.
This study did not show a significant benefit from acupressure for the management of acute pain.
This study did not demonstrate evidence for the efficacy of acupressure for the management of postoperative pain. Additional research would be useful to determine beneficial adjunctive interventions for acute pain management.