The Effectiveness of Acupressure on the Physiological and Psychological Improvement of Patients Undergoing Local Anesthesia

Background: Local anaesthesia surgeries are outpatient procedures that allow patients to go home the same day. However, these surgeries often cause pain and anxiety for patients. Opioids are commonly used for pain management, but concerns about allergies and side effects have driven the need for alternative, safer treatments. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the meridian system, which regulates qi, energy, and blood flow in the body. Stimulating acupoints on these meridians may help alleviate various ailments. This study examines whether acupressure can reduce pain and anxiety and improve physiological outcomes in patients undergoing local anaesthesia. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of acupressure on reducing pain and anxiety, and enhancing physiological outcomes in local anaesthesia patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with adult patients under local anaesthesia. The experimental group received acupressure at specific points (Hegu LI4 and Shenmen HT7), while the control group received standard care. Pain, anxiety, and autonomic function were measured before and after the intervention using IBMSPSS version 20.0 for analysis.