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Background/aim: Since hypotension is one of the most common complications experienced during hemodialysis (HD), and there are studies indicating that stimulation of the P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point affects blood pressure, this study examines the effect of acupressure performed on this point on blood pressure regulation as well as its effect on symptoms such as hypotension-associated fatigue and pain. This randomized controlled trial was conducted in order to determine the effect of 12-session body acupressure, performed by electrostimulation device, on blood pressure, headache, and fatigue level in individuals suffering from hypotension during hemodialysis., Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 135 patients, including 67 patients in the intervention group and 68 patients in the placebo group at four hemodialysis centers located in two city centers. The data were gathered using a questionnaire, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and fatigue, and the Piper fatigue scale. The forms were administered at the beginning of the application (first follow-up) and four weeks later (second follow-up). In the intervention group, the electrostimulation device was attached to the Neiguan (p6) acupuncture point and operated at the third hour of each dialysis session three times a week for one month. In the placebo group, the device was attached to the same acupuncture point but its batteries were removed and it was not operated. At the end of the four-week application, the forms were administered again. One-way analysis of variance, t test, Student-Newman-Keuls test, Pearson correlation analysis, Chi-square, McNemar test and McNemar Bowker test were used to assess the data., Results: It was found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were higher in all sessions in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P < .05). In the first follow-up, no difference was observed between the groups in terms of the scores of VAS pain, VAS fatigue, and Piper fatigue scale (P > .05); whereas, in the second follow-up, it was determined that VAS pain scores, VAS fatigue scores, and affective, sensory, and total scores of the Piper fatigue scale decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P < .05)., Conclusions: As a conclusion; it was found that body acupressure, which was performed on the Neiguan (P6) acupuncture point using electrostimulation device, provided the systolic and diastolic blood pressure regulation and decreased VAS pain severity, VAS fatigue severity, and total score and subscale mean Piper fatigue scale scores.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on the severity of thirst and quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment., Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in a randomized-controlled way to define the effect of acupressure performed on CV-23, SJ-17, Kid-1 acupuncture points for 15 min three times a week for six weeks on the intensity of thirst and quality of life in patients on hemodialysis. The second phase of the study was carried out as a qualitative study using an individual interview technique and a semi-structured questionnaire form before and after the acupressure with the intervention group patients in the study. The study was completed with 60 patients., Results: The weekly increase in the amount of saliva and the weekly decrease in the Visüel Analog Scala (VAS)-VAS thirst level in the individuals in the intervention group compared to those in the placebo group were found to be significant (P < .05). In the 1st and the 6th week assessments the difference between the intervention group and the placebo group in terms the mental component sub-dimension of the Quality of Life scale was found to be significant (P < .05), but difference between all other sub-dimensions and total averagescores was not found to be significant (P < .05)., Conclusion: It was determined that acupressure applied to the CV-23, SJ-17, Kid-1 acupuncture points with an acupressure device increased the amount of saliva, decreased the severity of VAS thirst and affects positively of quality of life except the mental component sub-dimension.

Background: Fatigue is one problem that is seen in high numbers in hemodialysis patients. Fatigue decreases quality of life by negatively affecting an individual's daily performance, activities, professional life, relations with family and friends, and treatment process., Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure on the level of fatigue in hemodialysis patients., Methods/design: The study was conducted as experimental research with an acupressure (intervention) group and a control group., Setting: The research, for which an ethics committee's approval and institutional permission was obtained, was conducted in two central provinces of Turkey, Nevşehir and Aksaray, at two hemodialysis centers with similar characteristics., Participants: The research was completed with a total of 118 participants (52 in the intervention group and 66 in the control group) who met the inclusion criteria., Interventions: A total of 12 acupressure sessions, 3 ×/wk for 1 mo, were performed for all participants in the intervention group, as required by the acupressure application protocol, applying acupressure at the Stomach 36 (ST-36), Gallbladder 34 (GB-34), Spleen 6 (SP-6), and Kidney 1 (K-1) acupuncture points with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) acupuncture pen (XFT-320 acupuncture pen, Shenzhen Xunfegtong Electronics Co, Ltd, Shenzhen, China)., Primary Outcome Measures: A visual analog scale (VAS) for fatigue and the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) were used to evaluate the fatigue level of the participants before and after the acupressure application., Results: After the acupressure applications for 1 mo, the subscale and total fatigue scores for the VAS (P < .001) and PFS were lower (P < .05) for participants in the intervention group compared to the controls, except for the cognitive subscale on the PFS (P < .05)., Conclusions: The study found that acupressure, applied using an acupuncture pen, was effective in decreasing fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Based on this result, the current research team suggests that hemodialysis patients and nurses should be informed about acupressure application so as to extend the use of acupressure in reducing fatigue symptoms.

Objective • This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on the severity of thirst and quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Materials and Methods • This study was carried out in a randomized-controlled way to define the effect of acupressure performed on CV-23, SJ-17, Kid-1 acupuncture points for 15 min three times a week for six weeks on the intensity of thirst and quality of life in patients on hemodialysis. The second phase of the study was carried out as a qualitative study using an individual interview technique and a semi-structured questionnaire form before and after the acupressure with the intervention group patients in the study. The study was completed with 60 patients. Results • The weekly increase in the amount of saliva and the weekly decrease in the Visüel Analog Scala (VAS)-VAS thirst level in the individuals in the intervention group compared to those in the placebo group were found to be significant (P<.05). In the 1st and the 6th week assessments the difference between the intervention group and the placebo group in terms the mental component sub-dimension of the Quality of Life scale was found to be significant (P < .05), but difference between all other sub-dimensions and total averagescores was not found to be significant (P<.05). Conclusion • It was determined that acupressure applied to the CV-23, SJ-17, Kid-1 acupuncture points with an acupressure device increased the amount of saliva, decreased the severity of VAS thirst and affects positively of quality of life except the mental component sub-dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]