Research: CHEN and others,

Listed in Issue 103

Abstract

CHEN and others, Department of Nursing, China Medical University, Taichung, 404 Taiwan, Republic of China, describe the use of acupressure to improve gastrointestinal motility in women after transabdominal hysterectomy.

Background

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure on gastrointestinal motility in women who have undergone transabdominal hysterectomy.

Methodology

Patients were randomly assigned to experimental group (21 patients) and control group (20 patients). Patients in the experimental group received acupressure for 3 minutes each on the three acupressure points PC-6, ST-36, and SP-6. The control group received acupressure on sham points. Treatment was twice daily. Patient satisfaction was measured with a self-report questionnaire, and gastrointestinal contractions were measured with a stethoscope before and after treatment.

Results

Acupressure on the meridian points significantly increased gastrointestinal motility, whereas sham acupressure did not affect it.

Conclusion

Non-invasive acupressure is a simple self-help treatment that can significantly improve gastrointestinal motility and thus enhance the wellbeing of patients after transabdominal hysterectomy.

References

Chen LL, Hsu SF, Wang MH, Chen CL, Lin YD, Lai JS. Use of acupressure to improve gastrointestinal motility in women after trans-abdominal hysterectomy. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 31 (5): 781-790, 2003.

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