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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted as an epidemiological study with a before–after interference. Ninety-three women who regularly visited a menopausal clinic in Kayseri and who had begun hormone replacement therapy (HRT) made up the study sample. Seventy-five women were involved in the second step, carried out 18 months after the first interview. It was concluded that 25.3% of the women who began HRT had more menopausal complaints before HRT, while these complaints were generally reduced after the 18 months (p <.05). There was no important change in their quality of life (QOL; p >.05), but there was a positive change seen in emotional reactions (p <.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of application of superficial local heat and a home exercise program on pain and function levels to patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This study was conducted in Turkey between January 2014 and February 2015. The sample group of the study consisted of 62 patients with osteoarthritis; 15 assigned to heat application, 15 to exercise, 15 to exercise after heat application, and 17 for the control group. While the patients in the control group received routine treatment only, the patients in the intervention group were treated with heat application, exercise, or exercise after heat application, suggested for 5 days a week for 4 weeks in addition to routine treatment. Results: In this study, all of the intervention groups had decreases in Visual Analogue Scale Pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain, stiffness, and function scores when compared with the control group. It was found that this decrease in Visual Analogue Scale Pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores was mostly in the exercise group, but this condition was not statistically significant. Conclusions: As a result, it is recommended that nurses train patients with osteoarthritis on heat application and home exercises and encourage them to apply these practices. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic musculoskeletal system disease characterized by pain and physical disabilities that affects joints, typically progresses bilaterally, and impairs quality of life.The most frequent symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are pain, stiffness, limited range of joint motion, motion restriction, joint deformity, and loss of function.The combination of heat application and exercise for knee osteoarthritis has been stated to reduce pain, ensure comfort, and enhance stiffness and physical function. What this paper adds? This study showed that application of heat and a home exercise program reduced pain and enhanced the functional level for patients with osteoarthritis.While Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index stiffness, pain, and disability subgroup scores decreased in all intervention groups (heat application, exercise after heat application, and exercise) post intervention, no change was found in the control group.Pain was significantly lower in all intervention groups post intervention. The implications of this paper: It is important for nurses to use nonpharmacological methods with high evidence levels in patient care.Nurses can train patients with osteoarthritis on application of heat and home exercise, which are easy‐to‐apply, cost‐effective, and efficient methods, and encourage them to do these practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]