The effect of acupressure on menstrual pain

Dysmenorrhea causes which women who are working and students have loss of business power, school absenteeism and serious economic loss. Tasks, authorities, and responsibilities of midwives include relieving their clients with non-invasive interventional practices. This study is a randomized controlled experimental trial that was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure applied to LI4 and SP6 on dysmenorrhea in midwifery and nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. The population of the study consisted of 480 female students, between November 2016- June 2017. The sample of the study was determined as minimum 38 individuals for each group using power analysis. 90 female students, who met the inclusion criteria and signed informed consent forms, were included in the sample. The data were collected using Information Form, Menstrual Symptom Scale (MSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Acupressure was applied to the acupuncture points of hand, foot areas in the experimental group in company with music for 10 minutes. The control group was made relax in company with music for 10 minutes. Pain assessment was performed with VAS before the procedure and in 30th, 60th, and 120th minutes after the procedure for both groups. It was found that the pain measurements of the 30th, 60th and 120th minutes of the acupressure group decreased considerably. As a result of the study, it was determined that the acupressure was very effective on decreasing at university students. Key Words: Acupressure, Dysmenorrhea, Primary dysmenorrhea, Midwife