The Effect of Acupressure Applied to Sanyinjiao (SP6) on Primary Dysmenorrhea.

CONTEXT

With the technological developments and advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of health, healthcare professionals are now expected to identify strategies for the use of complementary therapies and to guide healthy and ill individuals in their correct and effective use. Acupressure-a simple, effective, safe, and economical therapy-may reduce the pain caused by dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of acupressure applied to the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupressure point for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

DESIGN

The research team designed a randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

The study took place at the Health Services Vocational School at Duzce University in Duzce, Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 67 students with dysmenorrhea, who were studying business administration at the university between October 2016 and January 2018.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, in compliance with the study's criteria. The acupressure group pressed the SP6 acupressure point on each leg once a day for 10 minutes, for the first three days of each menstrual period for three months. The students in the acupressure and placebo group have been followed up for a total of four cycles. The participants in the acupressure group have been advised to press to the SP6 acupressure point for ten minutes every day on each leg for the first three days of each menstruation period for three months; the participants in the placebo group have been recommended to scrub the sham-acupressure point for ten minutes every day on each leg for the first three days of each menstruation period for three months. Within the last month(Month 4), evaluation forms have been applied without any further practices. The control group rubbed a false acupressure point on each leg once a day for ten minutes, for the same period.

OUTCOME MEASURES

A diagnostic form was used to collect the study's data and to determine participants' demographic characteristics. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) were used to evaluate dysmenorrhea pain. A satisfaction form was used to evaluate participants' satisfaction.

RESULTS

On the VAS, the severity of pain was lower in the acupressure group than in the control group. On the BPI, the scores were lower and the pain caused less discomfort in the acupressure group than in the control group. Moreover, both groups were satisfied with the practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Acupressure can be used as an effective and reliable method for the management of primary dysmenorrhea.