The effect of acupressure on anxiety and physiological parameters in individuals diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome: A randomizedcontrolled study

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of acupressure applied to individuals diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome on their anxiety levels and physiological parameters. The population of the study consisted of inpatients treated in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit of Manisa City Hospital. The study was conducted with a total of 68 participants, 34 in each group, assigned to two groups as an intervention group receiving acupressure and a control group receiving routine care, by block randomization. Data were collected using the Participant Identification Form, Physiological Parameters Form, Visual Analog Scale and Numeric Anxiety Scale by the researcher through face-to-face interviews. SPSS and JAMOVI 2.3.28 package programs were used in data analysis. Normality of distribution was assessed with kurtosis and skewness values being ±2, Kolmogorov Smirnov test p value and Q-Q plot graphics. Statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Time*group interaction was found significant in systolic blood pressure changes; It was determined that the difference was due to the 3rd and 4th measurements. According to the partial square value, the effect size is high (F (1,65) = 12.9, p<0.001, pη2=0.166). Group*time interaction is significant in heart rate changes; the difference is due to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th measurements, and the effect size is high (F (1,65) = 6.73, p<0.001, pη2=0.094). Group*time interaction is significant in anxiety level changes; the difference is due to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th measurements, and the effect size is high according to the partial square value (F (1,65) = 105, p<0.001, pη2=0.617). Acupressure treatment reduced blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and anxiety levels. Cortisol levels were lower in the intervention group after treatment.