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Research: HSIUNG and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 256
Abstract
HSIUNG and COLLEAGUES, 1. Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC; 2. Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan, ROC; National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan, ROC; 3. School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan, ROC. meiling@ntunhs.edu.tw ;4. China Medical University and Hospital, Taiwan, ROC conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether acupressure affected the postoperative comfort of gastric cancer patients following a subtotal gastrectomy.
Background
This pilot study evaluated whether acupressure affected the postoperative comfort of gastric cancer patients following a subtotal gastrectomy.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients were recruited from 141-bed general surgery ward at a 3000-bed medical centre in Northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving regular postoperative care or to the experimental group receiving additional acupressure at acupoints of Neiquan (P6) and Zusanli (ST36) for 3 consecutive days.
Results
The similarities between two groups were in postoperative pain and the onset of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) at the baseline. Following acupressure, significant differences were found in postoperative pain (P=.03) and time of first flatus (P=.04); but not PONV (P=.49), nor the time of first defecation (P=.34).
Conclusion
Acupressure is a simple, non-invasive, safe, and economical procedure for improving the comfort of patients who undergo surgery for gastric cancer. Acupressure at the P6 and ST36 acupoints can improve postoperative comfort by alleviating pain and decreasing the time until first flatus. However, additional research is necessary to elucidate how acupressure can improve postoperative outcomes.
References
Hsiung WT1, Chang YC2, Yeh ML3, Chang YH4. Acupressure improves the postoperative comfort of gastric cancer patients: A randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 23(3):339-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2015.03.010. Epub Apr 6 2015. Jun 2015.
