The effects of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. 


Author: Mirbagher-Ajorpaz N, Adib-Hajbaghery M, Mosaebi F.

Affiliation: Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Medical Surgical Nursing Department, Kashan, Iran. 
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2011 Feb
Other:
 Volume ID: 17   ,  Issue ID: 1   ,  Pages: 33-6   ,  Word Count: 169  
    The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea in Iranian medical sciences students.



DESIGN:

A randomized controlled pre and post-test design was employed to verify the effects of SP6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea.



SETTING:

A total of 30 young college female students with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups.



INTERVENTION:

The intervention group received SP6 acupressure during menstruation cycle and the control group received light touch on the SP6 acupoint. Using a Visual Analog Scale, the severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed prior to and immediately, 30 min, 1, 2, and 3 h following treatment.



MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Data were analyzed using X(2), t-test and ANOVA statistical tests.



RESULTS:

Significant differences were observed in the scores of dysmenorrhea between the two groups immediately after (3.50 ± 1.42 vs. 5.06 ± 1.43, p = 0.004) and also 3 h after treatment (1.66 ± 1.98 vs. 4.80 ± 1.37, p = 0.000).



CONCLUSIONS:

Acupressure on the SP6 meridian can be an effective non-invasive nursing intervention for alleviating primary dysmenorrhea and its effects last for 3 h post-treatment.



Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.



PMID: 21168112