The effect of acupressure on pain, anxiety, and the physiological indexes of patients with cancer undergoing bone marrow biopsy

- The acupressure in patients undergoing BMBA prevents pain, anxiety, and increases some of the physiological indexes.
- Acupressure would be a suitable intervention in clinical settings where the patient experiences high levels of pain.
- Acupressure is cost-effective and does not need vast and long-term patient and nurse education.
- Educate to patients about the self-acupressure can be effective in reducing pain and anxiety.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on pain intensity, anxiety, and physiological indexes of patients with cancer undergoing bone marrow biopsy and aspiration.MethodsThe study was designed as a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial.Ninety samples was selected using the convenience sampling method, then for allocation groups random block sampling was used (30 for each group). The three groups were similar by age and gender. LI4 and HT7 (Shen Men) acupressure points were examined for the intervention. Sham pressure was used in the placebo group while no intervention was applied in the control group.ResultsThe results showed that the lowest average anxiety score (1.5 ± 0.5; P = 0.01) and the lowest average pain score (4.9 ± 0.8) after the intervention were related to the acupressure method (P = 0.001).ConclusionCost effectiveness and short-term simple education make acupressure method useful in clinical settings for different illnesses.