The research is to explore the effect of acupressure on uremic pruritus and sleep quality among patients receiving hemodialysis. The research method adopts the experimental research method using randomization. The patients receiving the intervention of acupressure are in the experimental group, while those who do not receive it are in the control group.
There are about 60-90% of hemodialysis patients complain of itchy skin, which can cause the sleep quality decline. The important issue of non-invasive acupressure methods to relieve skin itching symptoms and to improve sleep quality are worth explored. Therefore, the research is to explore the effect of acupressure on uremic pruritus and sleep quality among patients receiving hemodialysis. The research method adopts the experimental research method using randomization. The patients receiving the intervention of acupressure are in the experimental group, while those who do not receive it are in the control group. The experimental group will receive the acupressure at the hemodialysis center for a total of 12 weeks, three times a week. The patients will receive 4 acupuncture points, including Quchi acupoint, Xuehai acupoint, Sanyinjiao acupoint, and Zusanli acupoint. Each acupoint will be pressed for 3 minutes, and totally 4 acupuncture points are 12 minutes. The effectiveness will be evaluated at the fourth week, eighth week and twelfth week. The effectiveness assessment in the study will use the "Visual Analog Scale (VAS)", "5D Pruritus Scale", and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale". This study uses the pre-test before the implementation of acupuncture, and uses the post-test at week 4, 8, and 12 end of acupuncture. Hopefully, this study may develop a beneficial non-drug care measures to improve the itching symptoms and sleep quality of hemodialysis patients, and to improve their quality of life. If this research result proves that the application of acupressure can be effective, it can not only improve the symptoms of itchy skin and sleep problems in hemodialysis patients, but also hope that can be extended to patients with end-stage renal disease.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
44
The patients will receive 4 acupuncture points, including Quchi acupoint, Xuehai acupoint, Sanyinjiao acupoint, and Zusanli acupoint. Each acupoint will be pressed for 3 minutes, and totally 4 acupuncture points are 12 minutes.
Xuan-Yi Huang
Taipei, Peitou, Taiwan
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The scale contains seven indicators (subjective sleep quality, sleep lag period, total sleep hours, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction). Each indicator has its own special scoring method. Indicators are calculated on a scale of 0-3, with a total score ranging from 0-21. The total score of the seven indicators is more than 5 points, the quality of sleep is poor, and the score is less than 5 points, the quality of sleep is good, which means that the higher the score, the worse the quality of sleep.
Time frame: Pre-test
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The scale contains seven indicators (subjective sleep quality, sleep lag period, total sleep hours, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction). Each indicator has its own special scoring method. Indicators are calculated on a scale of 0-3, with a total score ranging from 0-21. The total score of the seven indicators is more than 5 points, the quality of sleep is poor, and the score is less than 5 points, the quality of sleep is good, which means that the higher the score, the worse the quality of sleep.
Time frame: Post-test at week 4
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The scale contains seven indicators (subjective sleep quality, sleep lag period, total sleep hours, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction). Each indicator has its own special scoring method. Indicators are calculated on a scale of 0-3, with a total score ranging from 0-21. The total score of the seven indicators is more than 5 points, the quality of sleep is poor, and the score is less than 5 points, the quality of sleep is good, which means that the higher the score, the worse the quality of sleep.
Time frame: Post-test at week 8
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The scale contains seven indicators (subjective sleep quality, sleep lag period, total sleep hours, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction). Each indicator has its own special scoring method. Indicators are calculated on a scale of 0-3, with a total score ranging from 0-21. The total score of the seven indicators is more than 5 points, the quality of sleep is poor, and the score is less than 5 points, the quality of sleep is good, which means that the higher the score, the worse the quality of sleep.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Post-test at week 12
Visual analogue scale
Is a subjective feeling, no itching = 0, very intense itching = 10, mainly to assess the intensity of the itching
Time frame: Pre-test
Visual analogue scale
Is a subjective feeling, no itching = 0, very intense itching = 10, mainly to assess the intensity of the itching
Time frame: Post-test at week 4
Visual analogue scale
Is a subjective feeling, no itching = 0, very intense itching = 10, mainly to assess the intensity of the itching
Time frame: Post-test at week 8
Visual analogue scale
Is a subjective feeling, no itching = 0, very intense itching = 10, mainly to assess the intensity of the itching
Time frame: Post-test at week 12
5D Pruritus Scale
It includes five items to assess: duration of tickling, degree of tickling, changes in tickling, effects of tickling on daily life (sleep, rest/social activities, housework/going out, work/class), and distribution of tickling, and the five items add up to a 5D tickling scale score, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 25 points. Graded degree of itching: no tickling (≤ 8), mild tickling (9-11), moderate tickling (12-17), severe tickling (18-21), very severe itching (≥22)
Time frame: Pre-test
5D Pruritus Scale
It includes five items to assess: duration of tickling, degree of tickling, changes in tickling, effects of tickling on daily life (sleep, rest/social activities, housework/going out, work/class), and distribution of tickling, and the five items add up to a 5D tickling scale score, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 25 points. Graded degree of itching: no tickling (≤ 8), mild tickling (9-11), moderate tickling (12-17), severe tickling (18-21), very severe itching (≥22)
Time frame: Post-test at week 4
5D Pruritus Scale
It includes five items to assess: duration of tickling, degree of tickling, changes in tickling, effects of tickling on daily life (sleep, rest/social activities, housework/going out, work/class), and distribution of tickling, and the five items add up to a 5D tickling scale score, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 25 points. Graded degree of itching: no tickling (≤ 8), mild tickling (9-11), moderate tickling (12-17), severe tickling (18-21), very severe itching (≥22)
Time frame: Post-test at week 8
5D Pruritus Scale
It includes five items to assess: duration of tickling, degree of tickling, changes in tickling, effects of tickling on daily life (sleep, rest/social activities, housework/going out, work/class), and distribution of tickling, and the five items add up to a 5D tickling scale score, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 25 points. Graded degree of itching: no tickling (≤ 8), mild tickling (9-11), moderate tickling (12-17), severe tickling (18-21), very severe itching (≥22)
Time frame: Post-test at week 12