Acupressure and Preoperative Parental Anxiety: A Pilot Study

Abstract

In this randomized sham-controlled study we examined the anxiolytic and sedative effects of acupressure on parents in the preoperative holding area before their children's surgery. Sixty-one parents received acupressure either at the Yintang point (midpoint between the two eyebrows) or at a sham point. Anxiety (as measured by the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory), arterial blood pressure, and heart rate were assessed before and after the intervention and a Bispectral Index monitor was used to continuously monitor hypnotic sedation levels. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that parents in the acupressure group reported significantly less anxiety at 20 min post-intervention as compared with parents in the sham group (37 +/- 10 versus 45 +/- 13, P = 0.03). Bispectral Index values, heart rate, and arterial blood pressure, however, did not differ between the two study groups (P = not significant). We conclude that acupressure at the Yintang point may be used as a treatment for parental preoperative anxiety. Future studies are needed to quantify the magnitude and duration of the anxiolytic effect.

Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety levels and improves outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a prospective, randomized and controlled study

“…The practical advantages of AA include 32,33 : (1) only minimal equipment is needed and any physicians or nurses can perform this treatment; (2) physicians as well as other health care providers who have rare or no experience in traditional Chinese medicine can learn this technique within a few hours and can use it whenever indicated; (3) it is almost a ''no-cost'' intervention; (4) AA is non-invasive and does not affect the integrity of the epidermis. Acupressure, including AA, has been found to be safe and effective in decreasing prehospital anxiety 32 , reducing preoperative anxiety 34,35 , alleviating stress 33 and improving quality of life 36,37 . IVF is usually the final treatment option for infertile couples, and failure will probably mean their remaining childless 38 .…”

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Menstrual Symptoms and Nitric Oxide for Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

“…Acupressure involves the stimulation of acupuncture points and meridians without the use of needles. Moreover, acupressure has been found to be safe and effective for improving anxiety and stress-related ailments, [16][17][18][19][20][21] reducing tension, promoting wellness, maintaining the normal bodily functions, and providing comfort. 16,21 Particularly, in Chinese medicine theory, auricular acupressure can activate and regulate the flow of qi and Blood.…”

Síndrome das Pernas Inquietas: Visão da Medicina Chinesa

“…O ponto extra de acupuntura Yintang foi selecionado por causa de suas funções tradicionais, principalmente a sua função de acalmar a Mente (Shen), função esta que já apresentou bons resultados em outros trabalhos e pesquisas para o tratamento de distúrbios do sono e condições de inquietude 55,56 .…”