Investigation of the effect of acupressure on post-cesarean pain: A randomized, single blinded, plasebo controlled study

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of P6 and LI4 acupressure on pain intensity and analgesia consumption in women after cesarean. Methods: This study was conducted in a randomized, single-blind, placebo and control group study design. The study was conducted with 132 women, including acupressure (44 women), placebo (44 women), and control (44 women) groups. Acupressure was administered to the P6 and LI4 points of acupressure group in the second and fourth hours after cesarean section. Softly touches without pressure were administered to the P6 and LI4 points of women in the placebo group. Women in control group received the routine nursing care without any intervention. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and Visual Analog Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests by means of 8.2 version of SAS (Statistical Analysis System). Results: It was found that, there was no significant difference in pain intensity between the three groups before the intervention (p=0.996). However, there were significant differences between the groups in pain intensity after the intervention, and the lowest pain intensity belonged to the acupressure group (p=0.000). Additionally, it was found that, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of petidine hydrochloride consumption before interventions (p=0.502). However, there were significant differences between the groups in analgesia consumption of women during the intervention; the consumption of petidine hydrochloride and paracetamol in the acupressure group was lower than the placebo and control groups (respectively p=0.002 and p=0.040). Conclusion: This study proved that P6 and LI4 acupressure is an effective method for reducing pain intensity and analgesia consumption of women after cesarean. The use of acupressure which is simple, non-invasive and economic is recommended in the care of women after cesarean section. Keywords: Acupressure, analgesia consumption, cesarean section, nursing, pain.