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. 

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To determine if acupressure affects the postoperative comfort of patients following subtotal gastrectomy

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

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.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 54
  • MEAN AGE = 62.3 years (SD = 15.3 years)
  • MALES: 78%, FEMALES: 22%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All received subtotal gastric resection for gastric cancer

Setting

  • SITE: Single site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Inpatient  
  • LOCATION: Taiwan

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
  • APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

Study Design

Randomized, controlled trial

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain
  • Rhodes Index of Nausea Vomiting and Retching (RINVR)

Results

There were no significant differences in the trends for pain or postoperative nausea and vomiting between groups.

Conclusions

This study did not show a significant benefit from acupressure for the management of acute pain.

Limitations

  • Small sample (< 100)
  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
  • Key sample group differences that could influence results 
  • Measurement/methods not well described 
  • Subject withdrawals ≥ 10% 
  • Other limitations/explanation: The exact timing and method of obtaining data were not clearly explained, and although it was stated that all patients received the same analgesic regimen, the data showed that some patients received IV PCA, some received epidural analgesia, and some had “other.”

 

Nursing Implications

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.