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Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022Psychological distress such as depression and anxiety resulted from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have attracted increasing attention. The aim of this randomized...
OBJECTIVE
Psychological distress such as depression and anxiety resulted from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have attracted increasing attention. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects and safety of auricular acupressure on depression and anxiety in isolated COVID-19 patients.
METHODS
68 participants diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia (18-80 years old, SDS ≥ 50, SAS ≥ 45) were recruited and randomly allocated to the auricular acupressure group and the sham auricular acupressure group by a computer-generated random number sequence from 9th June to 30th June 2022. The group allocation was only blinded to the participants. Those in the auricular acupressure group were attached magnetic beads against 4 auricular points Shenmen, Subcortex, Liver and Endocrine, while sham group used four irrelevant auricular points. Outcomes were measured by Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SAS) before and after treatment in both groups through electronic questionnaire in mobile phones.
RESULTS
After treatment, statistically significant differences were found in scores of SAS in both groups ( < 0.001 in auricular acupressure group; = 0.003 in sham group), and SDS scores reduced significantly in the auricular acupressure group ( = 0.002). Significant reduced SAS and SDS scores were achieved in the auricular acupressure group than that in the sham group (F = 4.008, = 0.049, MD -7.70 95% CI: -9.00, -6.40, SMD -2.79 95% CI: -3.47, -2.11 in SDS; F = 10.186, = 0.002, MD -14.00 95% CI: -15.47, -12.53, SMD -4.46 95% CI: -5.37, -3.56 in SAS). No adverse events were found in either group during the whole study.
CONCLUSION
Auricular acupressure is an effective and safe treatment for alleviating symptoms of depressive and anxiety in patients with COVID-19.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
https://www.chictr.org.cn//, identifier ChiCTR2200061351.
PubMed: 36545041
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1041829 -
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Acupressure on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Evidence-based Complementary and... 2021To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupressure on low back pain (LBP).
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupressure on low back pain (LBP).
METHODS
We searched 7 electronic databases and 2 trial registries through December 28, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupressure on LBP were considered for meta-analysis with Revman 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to quantify the statistical reliability. HETRED analysis and GRADE were used to determine the heterogeneity and quality of the results, respectively.
RESULTS
Twenty-three RCTs representing 2400 participants were included. Acupressure was superior to tuina massage on response rate (RR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.35; < 0.00001) and in the standardized mean difference (SMD) for pain reduction [SMD -1.92; 95% CI, -3.09 to -0.76; =0.001]. Likewise, acupressure was superior to physical therapy [SMD, -0.88; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.65; < 0.00001] and to usual care [SMD, -0.32; 95% CI, -0.61 to -0.02; =0.04] in pain reduction. The Oswestry Disability Index was significantly improved by acupressure compared with usual care [SMD, -0.55; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.25; =0.0003]. The combination of acupressure with either manual acupuncture or electro-acupuncture showed significant improvements over the adjuvant therapies alone in response rate [RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.26; < 0.00001], pain reduction, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA). However, each study displayed substantial heterogeneity. Through subgroup sensitivity analysis and -HETRED analysis, the heterogeneity of acupressure compared with manual acupuncture decreased while the results maintained significance with respect to pain reduction [SMD -0.9; 95% CI, -1.21 to -0.6; < 0.00001] and JOA [SMD, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.98; < 0.00001]. Similar results were obtained comparing acupressure with electro-acupuncture with respect to pain [SMD, -1.07; 95% CI, -1.33 to -0.81; < 0.00001] and JOA [SMD, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.27, < 0.00001]. TSA demonstrated the effectiveness of acupressure as a standalone or as a combinative treatment (with manual acupuncture or electro-acupuncture) for LBP.
CONCLUSION
Acupressure is an effective treatment for LBP. However, GRADE assessments downgraded the evidence in the trials, indicating that additional investigations are needed to confirm these observations.
PubMed: 33708260
DOI: 10.1155/2021/8862399 -
Iranian Journal of Nursing and... 2018In this study, the effects of SP6 and LI4 acupressure on the pain severity and length of labor are examined. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In this study, the effects of SP6 and LI4 acupressure on the pain severity and length of labor are examined.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis study was performed on articles published in 2004-2015. The articles, published in the English and Farsi languages, related to the effects of acupressure on the SP6 and LI4 points on the length and pain severity of labor. Data were collected by searching medical databases, including PubMed, ISI, MagIran, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, SID, Irandoc, and EMBASE, for relevant material.
RESULTS
Women who received SP6 acupressure experienced less pain immediately after the intervention [-0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.77, -0.36] than women in the touch group and exhibited decrease in the length of labor (-0.99, 95% CI: -1.39, -0.39), the active phase (0.95, 95% CI: -1.30, -0.61), and the second stage of labor (-0.39, 95% CI: -0.74, -0.03). Women who received LI4 acupressure experienced less pain immediately after the intervention (-0.94, 95%, CI: -1.36, -0.53) than women in the touch group and exhibited shorter active phase (-0.91, 95%, CI: -1.18, -0.63) and second stage of labor (-0.55, 95%, CI: -0.95, -0.15) lengths.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of SP6 and LI4 acupressure shows promise as a method for managing the length and pain severity of labor, but further study is required to establish its effectiveness along with other pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods.
PubMed: 29344038
DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_184_15 -
BMC Complementary and Alternative... Oct 2011Shiatsu, similar to acupressure, uses finger pressure, manipulations and stretches, along Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians. Shiatsu is popular in Europe, but lacks... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Shiatsu, similar to acupressure, uses finger pressure, manipulations and stretches, along Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians. Shiatsu is popular in Europe, but lacks reviews on its evidence-base.
METHODS
Acupressure and Shiatsu clinical trials were identified using the MeSH term 'acupressure' in: EBM reviews; AMED; BNI; CINAHL; EMBASE; MEDLINE; PsycARTICLES; Science Direct; Blackwell Synergy; Ingenta Select; Wiley Interscience; Index to Theses and ZETOC. References of articles were checked. Inclusion criteria were Shiatsu or acupressure administered manually/bodily, published after January 1990. Two reviewers performed independent study selection and evaluation of study design and reporting, using standardised checklists (CONSORT, TREND, CASP and STRICTA).
RESULTS
Searches identified 1714 publications. Final inclusions were 9 Shiatsu and 71 acupressure studies. A quarter were graded A (highest quality). Shiatsu studies comprised 1 RCT, three controlled non-randomised, one within-subjects, one observational and 3 uncontrolled studies investigating mental and physical health issues. Evidence was of insufficient quantity and quality. Acupressure studies included 2 meta-analyses, 6 systematic reviews and 39 RCTs. Strongest evidence was for pain (particularly dysmenorrhoea, lower back and labour), post-operative nausea and vomiting. Additionally quality evidence found improvements in sleep in institutionalised elderly. Variable/poor quality evidence existed for renal disease symptoms, dementia, stress, anxiety and respiratory conditions. Appraisal tools may be inappropriate for some study designs. Potential biases included focus on UK/USA databases, limited grey literature, and exclusion of qualitative and pre-1989 studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence is improving in quantity, quality and reporting, but more research is needed, particularly for Shiatsu, where evidence is poor. Acupressure may be beneficial for pain, nausea and vomiting and sleep.
Topics: Acupressure; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 21982157
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-88 -
Integrative Medicine Research Sep 2018is a kind of neck pain syndrome that causes neck pain and stiffness without obvious trauma in East Asian traditional medicine. We aimed to summarize and critically... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
is a kind of neck pain syndrome that causes neck pain and stiffness without obvious trauma in East Asian traditional medicine. We aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupressure on
METHODS
We searched eight databases for studies published up to August 29, 2017. Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of acupressure on were included. The acupressure methods of included studies were divided into proximal acupressure performed on acupuncture points located in neck and shoulder, and distal acupressure performed on acupuncture points located in other areas. Overall clinical effective rate (CER) and immediately cured rate (ICR), which means rate of the symptom totally resolved after one treatment session, were calculated as mean percentage with 95% confidence interval. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality.
RESULTS
Two case studies and 13 case series with 1037 participants were included, and 17 types of proximal acupuncture points and 14 types of distal acupuncture points were used. The most commonly used proximal and distal acupuncture points were GB20 and GB39, respectively. The CER in one study using both proximal and distal acupressure was 100%. The CER and ICR in studies using only proximal acupressure was 95.65% and 71.61%, respectively. The CER and ICR in studies using only distal acupressure was 99.37% and 69.08%, respectively. Eight studies performed simple acupressure technique using one acupuncture point, of which SI11, GB39, BL57, and TE3 were used. None of the studies reported adverse events.
CONCLUSION
This review suggests that acupressure may be effective on . However, it is not conclusive due to low methodological quality and low evidence level of included studies.
PubMed: 30271710
DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2022Recurrent implantation failure (RIF), a clinical disorder characterized by failure to achieve pregnancy after repeated (≥3) embryo transfer, is a challenge for...
BACKGROUND
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF), a clinical disorder characterized by failure to achieve pregnancy after repeated (≥3) embryo transfer, is a challenge for reproductive demands worldwide. In our preliminary work, the Zhuyun formula (ZYF) with auricular acupressure, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with a small sample size for RIF, can improve the clinical pregnancy rate (41.2% vs. 26.7%, treatment group vs. control group, < 0.05). Based on the toxicological and pregnancy-related pharmacological analysis of ZYF for RIF, the T-cell receptor signaling pathway might be involved in the pharmacological activity. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of the CAM therapy according to pregnancy outcomes and maternal and child health and investigating the changes of T-helper (Th) cells in the peripheral blood of unexplained RIF women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a prospective, two-arms, randomized, nonblinded study. All eligible women were randomly assigned to the treatment group (TG) and the control group (CG) according to a computer-generated randomization list in sealed opaque envelopes. Blood samples were collected from the two groups, and serum Th1, Th2, and Treg were detected by flow cytometry. The cytokines were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TG was administrated with ZYF and auricular acupressure for three months before ovarian stimulation, while the control group was on a waiting list for the same period. The primary outcome was CPR. The second outcomes were the serum levels of immune parameters. For the safety evaluation, the perinatal outcomes of maternal and child were obtained by follow-up. Post-hoc sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the effect of missing data.
RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-three women were randomized into the TG ( = 62) and CG ( = 61). The CPR was increased significantly in the TG (45.2%) than CG (26.2%) ( = 0.029). Twenty blood samples were collected, and the Th2/Th1 and Treg expression level was significantly higher in the TG than in the CG. IL-2, IL-10, and Foxp3 were higher significantly in the TG than in the CG. The maternal and child perinatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The ZYF with auricular acupressure was effective and safe in improving the pregnancy outcomes of RIF. It might be related to balancing the level of cytokines related to the immune tolerance of the maternal-fetal interface to protect the embryo from the maternal immune system. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry; date: 14/Dec/2013; no. NCT03078205.
PubMed: 36267092
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5274638 -
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian... Apr 2012Periodontal diseases continue to be most commonly occurring oral diseases in modern times. Many therapeutic modalities have been tried and tested to relieve these... (Review)
Review
Periodontal diseases continue to be most commonly occurring oral diseases in modern times. Many therapeutic modalities have been tried and tested to relieve these problems. The conventional therapy--scaling and root planing (SRP)--stands out to be the most used mode of treatment, and other treatments remain applicable as adjuncts to SRP, including acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy. The present article discusses the applications of the abovementioned therapeutic modes and their relevance in current scenarios. Alternative medicine may be preferred as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy to relieve pain, bad breath, gingival inflammation, mouth ulcers, and mouth sores.
Topics: Acupressure; Acupuncture Therapy; Aromatherapy; Complementary Therapies; Halitosis; Humans; Mouth; Mouth Diseases; Pain; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontium
PubMed: 22483182
DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2012.01.001 -
PloS One 2015To explore the commonly utilized sham acupressure procedures in existing acupressure trials, and to assess whether different types of sham interventions yield different... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To explore the commonly utilized sham acupressure procedures in existing acupressure trials, and to assess whether different types of sham interventions yield different therapeutic outcomes, and, as far as possible, to identify directions for the future development of an adequate sham acupressure method.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials comparing true acupressure with sham interventions were included. Thirteen electronic databases were adopted to locate relevant studies from inception to July 3, 2014. Meanwhile, eight Chinese journals on complementary and alternative medicine were manually searched to locate eligible articles. In addition, eligible studies listed in the reference lists of the included papers and other related systematic reviews on acupressure were also screened to further search any potentially eligible trials. Methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Descriptive analysis was adopted to summarize the therapeutic outcomes.
RESULTS
Sixty-six studies with 7265 participants were included. Methodological quality of the included trials was generally satisfactory. Six types of sham acupressure approaches were identified and "non-acupoint" stimulation was the most frequently utilized sham point while an acupressure device was the most commonly used approach for administering sham treatments. Acupressure therapy was a beneficial approach in managing a variety of health problems and the therapeutic effect was found to be more effective in the true acupressure groups than that in the sham comparative groups. No clear association could be identified between different sham acupressure modalities and the reported treatment outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
A great diversity of sham acupressure controls have been used in clinical practice and research. A solid conclusion whether different sham alternatives are related to different treatment outcomes cannot be derived because of significant clinical heterogeneity among the analyzed trials. Non-acupoints are generally recommended but the definite locations should be identified with caution. For studies using single sham acupoints on hands or legs, it is suggested to apply identical acupressure devices on the same acupoint as in the active intervention without any stimulation. While for studies on pain, stimulation of sham acupoints should be avoided.
Topics: Acupressure; Acupuncture Therapy; Control Groups; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26177378
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132989 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2021More than 40% of patients with cancer have reported that chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remained the most debilitating side effects of treatment even in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
More than 40% of patients with cancer have reported that chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remained the most debilitating side effects of treatment even in the era of new antiemetics.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the clinical effect of auricular acupressure (AA) in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
METHODS
The following databases were searched: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, the Web of Science, Chinese Biological Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and VIP (from database inception to April 2020). Eligible randomized controlled trials of auricular acupressure in treating CINV were collected, including crossover randomized design study. The meta-analysis was carried out by RevMan software (5.3).
RESULTS
Totally 19 RCTs with 1449 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control groups, the relief efficiency of overall CINV was enhanced by AA combined with antiemetics (RR = 1.31, CI 1.22 to 1.41, ≤ 0.001). Although the therapeutic effect on acute nausea and vomiting was not obvious, AA still played an important role in reducing delayed nausea and vomiting (delayed nausea frequency: RR = 0.68, CI -1.01 to -1.35, ≤ 0.001; delayed vomiting frequency: RR = 0.91, CI -1.22 to -0.61, ≤ 0.001). The likelihood of adverse reactions related to antiemetics was reduced by AA combined with antiemetics (RR = 0.62, CI 0.53 to 0.74, ≤ 0.001). Statistically significant association was found between AA and incidence of constipation, diarrhea, and tiredness, while there was no statistically significant association between AA and abdominal distension or headache.
CONCLUSION
Auricular acupressure supplementation benefited delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as constipation, diarrhea, and tiredness. AA alone or AA supplementation has little effect on acute nausea and acute vomiting. There is no conclusion on whether AA alone is superior to antiemetics in the management of delayed CINV. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of auricular acupressure alone in delayed CINV and anticipatory CINV. The results of this review provided the basis for further research with more rigorous study designs, adequate sample sizes, and standardized implementation to confirm the efficacy of auricular acupressure.
PubMed: 34394394
DOI: 10.1155/2021/8868720 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020The efficacy of auricular acupressure in patients with hypertension and insomnia is controversial. This systematic review aims to explore the effectiveness of auricular...
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of auricular acupressure in patients with hypertension and insomnia is controversial. This systematic review aims to explore the effectiveness of auricular acupressure in reducing blood pressure and improving sleep in this population.
METHODS
We conducted an extensive database search in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Ovid LWW, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Data, and China Science and Technology Journal Database on randomized controlled trials published from inception to November 2019 that compared auricular acupressure with a control or comparison group on blood pressure control and sleep improvement. Two reviewers independently conducted data screening and extraction. Study quality was evaluated using the . Meta-analyses were performed on blood pressure, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the efficacy rate of diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for traditional Chinese medicine syndromes (DTCTCMS), and the efficacy rate of guidelines for traditional Chinese medicine (new drug) clinical research (GTCMCR) by Revman 5.3.0.
RESULTS
A total of 18 randomized controlled trials with 1685 patients were identified. Compared with a control or comparison group, pooled meta-analyses showed that auricular acupressure significantly improved systolic blood pressure (MD = -15.05, 95% CI (-18.49, -11.61), < 0.00001), diastolic blood pressure (MD = -8.41, 95% CI (-11.33, -5.48), < 0.00001), PSQI (MD = -2.37, 95% CI (-4.64, -0.10), =0.04), the efficacy rate of DTCTCMS (RR = 1.63, 95% CI (1.16, 2.28), =0.004), and the efficacy rate of GTCMCR (RR = 1.25, 95% CI (1.12, 1.38)).
CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated a favorable effect of auricular acupressure to reduce blood pressure and improve sleep in patients with hypertension and insomnia. Further studies to better understand the acupoints and intervention times of auricular acupressure are warranted.
PubMed: 32655667
DOI: 10.1155/2020/7279486