The Effects of Acupressure on Preoperative Anxiety Reduction in School Aged Children

INTRODUCCIÓN: A majority of children experience significant anxiety in the preoperative period. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupressure on preoperative anxiety reduction in school aged children. METHODS: The study population included 80 subjects (aged 9-12 years) who had to undergo elective surgery. Children were randomly assigned to the acupressure (N=40) and sham groups (N=40). Anxiety in the preoperative period was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). Acupressure was carried out by an acupressure-bead causing a constant pressure of 70 g/cm 2. In the acupressure group, the bead was fixed on the Yin Tang point (the midpoint between eyebrows) while in the sham group, it was put on a sham point outside the eyebrows line. Half an hour later, the STAIC was filled out by the children again. RESULTS: The results revealed significant differences between anxiety values at baseline and 30 minutes after applying pressure on the sham point (P < 0.007). CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to decide whether acupressure could be used as an effective non-pharmacological substitutive method for preoperative anxiety reduction in children. Do you want to read the rest of this publication?Access full-text