Review ArticleThe Effectiveness of Acupressure on Relieving Pain: A Systematic Review
Section snippets
Research Question
Is acupressure effective in relieving pain in different populations, such as populations with dysmenorrhea, labor pain, low back pain, chronic headache, and other traumatic pains?
Eligibility Criteria
The inclusion criteria included pilot studies, clinical trials, and randomized controlled trials using human beings. The exclusion criteria were literature irrelevant to pain (n = 193), qualitative studies (n = 1), doctoral dissertations (n = 1), systematic reviews (n = 3), and case reports (n = 8). In addition, the
Study Selection
Of the 15 research studies extracted, six conveyed the use of acupressure to diminish the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Three of the remaining nine RCTs studied the effectiveness of acupressure in relieving labor pain, especially during the active phase of the first stage of labor. Another three RCTs investigated the effects of acupressure for treatment of low back pain, and the other three are clinical trials for reducing tension headache and minor traumatic pains.
Discussion
From the results of the fifteen studies, acupressure is shown to reduce various pains, including dysmenorrhea, labor pain, low back pain, chronic headache, and other traumatic pains in different countries. The clinical trials showed that acupressure can be efficiently conducted by health care professionals as an adjuvant therapy in general practice for pain relief. The intervention is implemented through pressing and rubbing acupoints with fingers and hands by using a force approximately 3 to 5
Conclusions
The systematic review begins to establish a credible evidence base for the use of acupressure in relieving pain. An evidence-base of reliable and valid evaluation is crucial for clinicians. In terms of the implication for nursing education, practice, and research, the review provides important evidence that acupressure uses a noninvasive, timely, and effective way to support its effectiveness in relieving a variety of pains. However, health care providers would incorporate acupressure into
References (32)
- et al.
A randomized controlled clinical trial for low back pain treated by acupressure and physical therapy
Preventive Medicine
(2004) - et al.
Effects of acupressure on dysmenorrhea and skin temperature changes in college students: A non-randomized controlled trial
International Journal of Nursing Studies
(2007) - et al.
Effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
(2010) - et al.
Prehospital analgesia with acupressure at the Baihui and Hegu points in patients with radial fractures: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial
American Journal of Emergency Medicine
(2007) - et al.
Cardiovascular benefits of acupressure (Jin Shin) following stroke
Complementary Therapies In Medicine
(2010) - et al.
The effects of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
(2011) - et al.
An exploratory study on the effects of an expectancy manipulation on chemotherapy-related nausea
Journal of Pain & Symptom Management
(2010) - et al.
Auriculotherapy on low back pain in the elderly
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
(2007) - et al.
Effectiveness of acupressure for residents of long-term care facilities with insomnia: A randomized controlled trial
International Journal of Nursing Studies
(2010) Acupressure and fatigue in patients with end-stage renal disease – A randomized controlled trial
International Journal of Nursing Studies
(2004)