The Effect of Acupressure on the Anxiety Level

Mersin University52 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled study evaluates the effect of acupressure application on the anxiety level of senior nursing students.The hypothesis of this study is that acupressure reduces anxiety levels.

Methods: In the study, 52 senior nursing students were randomly assigned to the study and control groups. The study group (n = 26) included Shen Men, the 7th acupuncture point (HT7) of the heart meridian located between the ulna and pisiform bones on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, EX-HN3 (Yintang) located in the middle of the beginning of both eyebrows and the thumb and the LI4 points located in the space between the index finger (between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones of the hand, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side) will be applied for an average of 10 minutes. No intervention will be made to the control group (n = 26). In order to avoid ethical problems, both groups will be given an informative training on acupressure and anxiety content at the end of the study. The primary outcome of the study is the effect of acupressure on the state anxiety level of senior nursing students. The secondary outcome of the study is the effect of acupressure on trait anxiety level in senior nursing students. The results will be collected before the acupressure and in the 4th week of the last intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Anxiety

Interventions

AcupressureOTHER

Before starting the application, the students will be asked to rub the area around the area to be pressed for 20-30 seconds with their palms. With the gentle rubbing of the surrounding tissue, the tension and tissue sensitivity in the area of warming, relaxing and preparatory will be reduced and the tissue will be relieved. . The students will be asked to press the designated point manually with their thumb, index or middle finger for 5 seconds with a depth of 1-1.5 cm, rest for 2 seconds and continue the practice for 2 minutes

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: The experimental group criteria to be included in the study; * To voluntarily agree to participate in the study (those who signed the Informed Volunteer Form), * Not having physical problems that would prevent acupressure application to HT7 (wrist), LI4 (the point where the thumb and index finger meet) and EX-HN3 (the middle point of the right and left eye level), * Not having experience with acupressure, * Not using drugs that affect anxiety level (antidepressants, analgesics, beta adrenoreceptor antagonists, dopamine agonists, etc.), * Not using alcohol and drugs, * Not having access to the devices required for internet and online education, * Not being diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study, * Not having any psychiatric diagnosis., The control group criteria to be included in the study; * To voluntarily agree to participate in the study (those who signed the Informed Volunteer Form), * Not having experience with acupressure, * Not using drugs that affect anxiety level (antidepressants, analgesics, beta adrenoreceptor antagonists, dopamine agonists, etc.), * Not having access to the devices required for internet and online education, * Not using alcohol and drugs, * Not being diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study, * Not having any psychiatric diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: The experimental group criteria not to be included in the study; * Not accepting voluntarily to participate in the study (those who did not sign the Informed Volunteer Form), * Having a physical problem that prevents acupressure application to HT7 (wrist), LI4 (the point where the thumb and index finger meet) and EX-HN3 (the middle point of the right and left eye level), * To have an acupressure experience, * Using drugs that affect anxiety level (antidepressants, analgesics, beta adrenoreceptor antagonists, dopamine agonists, etc.), * Having access to the devices required for internet and online education, * Using alcohol and substance, * Being diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study, * Any psychiatric diagnosis The control group criteria not to be included in the study; * Not accepting voluntarily to participate in the study (those who did not sign the Informed Volunteer Form), * To have an acupressure experience, * Using drugs that affect anxiety level (antidepressants, analgesics, beta adrenoreceptor antagonists, dopamine agonists, etc.), * Having access to the devices required for internet and online education, * Using alcohol and substance, * Being diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study, * Having any psychiatric diagnosis.

Locations (1)

Turkey, Mersin University,

Mersin, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Anxiety evaluated using the State Anxiety Scale

Scores ranging from 20 to 80 points are obtained in the scale. In the total score obtained from the scale in scoring the scale, 0-19 points indicate the absence of anxiety, 20-39 points indicate mild anxiety, 40-59 points indicate moderate anxiety, and 60-79 points indicate severe anxiety level. Higher state anxiety scores indicate that anxiety level is also high

Time frame: Change from before implementation and 4th week of practice

Secondary Outcomes

Anxiety evaluated using the Trait Anxiety Scale

In the total score obtained from the scale in scoring the scale, 0-19 points indicate the absence of anxiety, 20-39 points indicate mild anxiety, 40-59 points indicate moderate anxiety, and 60-79 points indicate severe anxiety level. Higher trait anxiety scores indicate that anxiety level is also high.

Time frame: Change from before implementation and 4th week of practice

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.