Abstract Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis and affects people's functional status with quality of life. This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients living with knee osteoarthritis. Acupressure application and follow-ups were performed by the researcher in the patient's home environment. The study was performed with 90 patients, 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group. Acupressure was performed two days a week for four weeks with a total of eight sessions on the ST34, ST35, ST36, SP9, SP10, GB34 acupuncture points following an acupressure practice guide prepared by the researcher. It was determined that while the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group before application, they had decreased after application. It was found that all subscale mean scores of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire increased after application in the intervention group. It was concluded that acupressure has decreased pain severity and increased the functional status and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Keywords: Osteoarthritis, pain, nursing, acupressure.
Abstract Background: Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis and affects people's functional status with quality of life. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients living with knee osteoarthritis. Methods/Design: The study was conducted as an experimental study with a pre-posttest and a control group. Settings: The study was conducted on patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and attended the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Polyclinics of Nevşehir government hospital in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Acupressure application and follow-ups were performed by the researcher in the patient's home environment. Participants: The study was performed with 90 patients, 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group. Intervention: Acupressure was performed two days a week for four weeks with a total of eight sessions on the ST34, ST35, ST36, SP9, SP10, GB34 acupuncture points following an acupressure practice guide prepared by the researcher. Measurement of efficacy: Data was collected before and after acupressure application by using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
90
Acupressure was performed two days a week for four weeks with a total of eight sessions on the ST34, ST35, ST36, SP9, SP10, GB34 acupuncture points following an acupressure practice guide prepared by the researcher.
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
Niğde, Ni̇ğde, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain level in visual analogue scale (VAS)
Pain severity scores were determined by measuring values that were chosen on VAS by patients. The numerical scale ranges from 0 "No pain", to 10 "Worst pain imaginable", and a numerical value is given to every 1 cm range to measure pain severity.
Time frame: baseline, change from baseline at 4th week;
The Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index
Their functional status levels were evaluated by using WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index.Every question is scored between 0 and 4 points evaluated with a five-way Likert-type scale. High scores from the index show increased pain and stiffness and dysfunction in physical function.
Time frame: baseline, change from baseline at 4th week;
36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)
Their changes in quality of life levels were evaluated by using SF-36 scale.The scale gives separate scores for every sub-scale, which varies between 0 and 100 points. High scores on the subscales show good health status, while low scores show a deterioration in health
Time frame: baseline, change from baseline at 4th week;
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