The effects of acupressure on the symptoms severity and function status and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupressure on the symptoms severity, function status and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).DesignThis double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 57 patients with CTS that selected through convenience sampling. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups, including (1) acupressure; (2) placebo acupressure; and (3) control.SettingThe study was conducted in the medical centers affiliated to Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.InterventionThe intervention groups received acupressure or placebo for one month. The control group received only routine cares (splints and analgesics) with no additional intervention.Primary outcomesThe severity of symptoms and hand function were evaluated by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, and electrodiagnostic findings, including Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), Distal Sensory Latency (DSL), and Distal Motor Latency (DML) were measured by Electromyography device before and after the intervention.ResultsThe results showed significant differences in the mean severity of symptoms, hand function, NCV, DSL, and DML before and after the intervention in the acupressure group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also observed between the means difference in severity of symptoms, hand function, and NCV, DSL, and DML before and after the intervention in the three groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results, acupressure was effective in reducing the severity of clinical symptoms, improving the hand function, and improving the electrodiagnostic findings. Therefore, the application of acupressure can be recommended for improving clinical symptoms of patients with CTS.     

The efficacy of acupressure for symptom management: a systematic review

Context

Acupressure is a noninvasive strategy used to manage various symptoms.

Objectives

The purpose of this article was to review randomized controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of acupressure for the management of symptoms.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, and PubMed using the key words acupressure, clinical trial, human, and/or randomized. Randomized clinical trials published between January 1, 2000 and January 31, 2010, which used acupressure as the sole intervention for one group, were included when they were written in English and when there were four or more studies of the efficacy of acupressure for that particular symptom.

Results

Forty-three studies were included in this review. Investigators in 16 of 23 studies concluded acupressure was effective, primarily for the management of nausea and vomiting in patients during pregnancy and during chemotherapy. Investigators in nine of 10 studies concluded that acupressure was effective for pain in patients with dysmenorrhea, during labor and after trauma. Investigators of four studies concluded that acupressure was effective in the management of dyspnea and investigators in six studies concluded that acupressure was effective in improving fatigue and reducing insomnia in a variety of populations. However, evaluation of the randomized controlled trial reports indicated a significant likelihood of bias.

Conclusion

Acupressure may be a useful strategy for the management of multiple symptoms in a variety of patient populations, but rigorous trials are needed. Inclusion of acupressure as an intervention may improve patient outcomes.     

A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of acupressure wristbands for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery

Introduction

Approximately 50% of women experience nausea or vomiting during labour. P6 acupoint stimulation reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and after chemotherapy. The aim of this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether P6 acupressure prevented nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery.

Methods

After ethical approval and informed consent, women admitted for induction of labour, or in spontaneous labour, were randomised to receive either acupressure bands (Pressure Right™) (Group A) or sham placebo bands (Group P) applied to each wrist. Exclusions included recent nausea or vomiting.

Results

We consented 365 women and randomised 340 (170 per group). The groups had similar patient and labour characteristics. The incidence of nausea and/or vomiting did not significantly differ (Group A 53% vs. Group P 50%, P = 0.58). There was no significant difference between groups (A vs. P, respectively) in the incidence of nausea (52% vs. 45%), vomiting (27% vs. 28%), rescue antiemetic treatment (27% in both), severity of nausea or vomiting, satisfaction with control of nausea or ratings of inconvenience or discomfort from the bands (10% vs. 11%). Factors significantly associated with emetic symptoms were smoking (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.07-4.37), opioid analgesia (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.06-3.59), history of motion-induced or postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.17-2.94) and higher body mass index (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.12).

Conclusion

In this study acupressure wristbands applied bilaterally did not reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery.     

穴位按压联合音乐疗法防治鼻内镜术后患者鼻腔换药时晕厥的研究

目的：探讨穴位按压联合音乐疗法对鼻内镜术后患者鼻腔换药时晕厥的效果。方法：将160例鼻内镜术后患者随机分为实验组和对照组各80例。实验组在拔除鼻腔填塞物前实施穴位按压联合音乐疗法。对照组在常规护理下拔除鼻腔填塞物。结果：实验组80例换药过程中有2例发生晕厥;对照组80例换药过程中有11例发生晕厥。嘲比较差异有统计学意义（χ^2=6．782,P=0．009〈0．01）。结论：鼻内镜术后患者鼻腔换药前实施穴位按压联合音乐疗法,可有效预防换药时晕厥的发生。     

Effects of Acupressure on Lower Limb Blood Flow for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Diseases

Purpose To investigate the effects of acupressure on lower limb blood flow for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases (PAOD). Methods From February 2004 to February 2005, 30 patients with stage II PAOD underwent measurements of the lower limb blood flow. Six patients (group A) were assigned as controls without any acupoint stimulation, while 24 (group B) underwent stimulation at acupoints by acupressure. The acupoints Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) of the symptomatic lower limbs were stimulated for 3 min. Transcutaneous oximetry (tcPO₂) was used to determine the blood flow of the chest wall, bilateral distal crura, and bilateral dorsa of the foot before and during the stimulations at the acupoints. Results Group A showed no significant change in the lower limb blood flow. In group B, the tcPO₂ values of chest wall, bilateral distal crura, and the dorsum of foot of the stimulated lower limb increased significantly during acupressure (P < 0.01), whereas no significant change was shown in the dorsum of the foot of the non-stimulated lower limb. Moreover, the blood flow of the lower limbs that had undergone an ipsilateral sympathectomy increased significantly (P < 0.01). Conclusions Acupressure was found to cause significant increases in the lower limb blood flow of stage II PAOD patients. This treatment modality may therefore be effective for improving the symptoms of such patients.     

耳穴按压对系统性红斑狼疮患者白细胞减少症的影响

目的通过耳穴按压来调节人体免疫,以减少系统性红斑狼疮患者因白细胞减少症而引起的失眠等症状,探求系统性红斑狼疮患者耳穴按压的循证护理方法。方法将患者按随机数字表法分为实验组与对照组各30例,对照组采用常规治疗护理手段,实验组在此基础上配合按压耳部的肾、肾上腺等穴位。结果采用SPSS13．0统计软件进行数据学分析和处理。结果经耳穴按压后实验组的白细胞为（6．74±1．29）×10^9／L,对照组的白细胞为（4．32±1．18）×10^9／L,两组比较差异有统计学意义（t=2．20,P〈0．05）。两组患者干预前后在失眠、乏力、纳差方面差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论耳穴按压有利于减少系统性红斑狼疮患者白细胞减少症引起的症状,值得临床推广使用。     

针灸治疗多囊卵巢不孕症20例

The incidence rate of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is about 5％-10％ in the women of childbearing age and accounts for 30％-60％ in the patients with anovulatory infertility.From 2005 to 2008,I treated 20 cases of polycystic ovary infertility by acupuncture-moxibustion plus acupressure along the meridians.Now,the report is given as follows.     

穴位按摩对预防骨科老年卧床病人便秘的疗效观察

目的：观察穴位按摩对预防骨科老年卧床病人便秘的疗效。方法：将160例骨科卧床老年病人随机分为观察组（采用健康教育）和实验组（采用健康教育和穴位按摩）,比较两组显效情况。结果：观察组有效率为47．37％,实验组为80．95％。两组预防便秘有效率比较P〈0．01。结论：穴位按摩对预防老年卧床病人便秘有显著疗效。     

穴位按压联合艾灸治疗稳定型心绞痛33例临床观察

目的观察穴位按压联合艾灸治疗稳定型心绞痛的临床疗效。方法将66例稳定型心绞痛患者随机分为2组,对照组33例予西医常规治疗,连续5周;治疗组33例在对照组治疗基础上加穴位按压联合艾灸,每周6次,连续5周。统计2组心绞痛、心电图及中医证候(胸痛、胸闷、心悸及气短)疗效。结果治疗组心绞痛、胸痛、胸闷、心悸及气短总有效率分别为96.97%、96.97%、100%、96.97%、96.97%,对照组分别为72.72%、75.76%、81.82%、75.76%、75.76%,治疗组均优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗组心电图显效率63.63%,对照组显效率39.39%,2组显效率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组优于对照组。结论穴位按压联合艾灸治疗稳定型心绞痛安全方便,疗效确切。