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Indian Journal of Palliative Care 2024This meta-analysis study was conducted to determine how acupressure affects fatigue in cancer patients. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
This meta-analysis study was conducted to determine how acupressure affects fatigue in cancer patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Randomised controlled clinical trials were conducted using the keywords 'acupressure and fatigue' on Google Scholar, PubMed, and ISI Web of Sciences databases. Cochran's Q test statistics and I test statistics were used to test the presence of heterogeneity. The random-effect meta-analysis model was used according to the results of the test for heterogeneity. Hedge's g test statistics were used to determine the joint effect between acupressure and control groups in the meta-analysis study.
RESULTS
In this meta-analysis study, 409 patients from the acupressure group and 403 patients from the control group were included. When calculating the average standardised difference value of the acupressure versus the control group, it was determined that acupressure decreased the fatigue score in a statistically significant way.
CONCLUSION
Acupressure is an effective approach to alleviate cancer-related fatigue.
PubMed: 38633687
DOI: 10.25259/IJPC_95_2023 -
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 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Oct 2011Acupressure is a noninvasive strategy used to manage various symptoms. (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Acupressure is a noninvasive strategy used to manage various symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this article was to review randomized controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of acupressure for the management of symptoms.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, and PubMed using the key words acupressure, clinical trial, human, and/or randomized. Randomized clinical trials published between January 1, 2000 and January 31, 2010, which used acupressure as the sole intervention for one group, were included when they were written in English and when there were four or more studies of the efficacy of acupressure for that particular symptom.
RESULTS
Forty-three studies were included in this review. Investigators in 16 of 23 studies concluded acupressure was effective, primarily for the management of nausea and vomiting in patients during pregnancy and during chemotherapy. Investigators in nine of 10 studies concluded that acupressure was effective for pain in patients with dysmenorrhea, during labor and after trauma. Investigators of four studies concluded that acupressure was effective in the management of dyspnea and investigators in six studies concluded that acupressure was effective in improving fatigue and reducing insomnia in a variety of populations. However, evaluation of the randomized controlled trial reports indicated a significant likelihood of bias.
CONCLUSION
Acupressure may be a useful strategy for the management of multiple symptoms in a variety of patient populations, but rigorous trials are needed. Inclusion of acupressure as an intervention may improve patient outcomes.
Topics: Acupressure; Dysmenorrhea; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Male; Nausea; Vomiting
PubMed: 21531533
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.01.007 -
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 -
Journal of Traditional and... Apr 2017Since time immemorial, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have played a significant role in human health care. CAM is known to have a strong reputation and... (Review)
Review
Since time immemorial, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have played a significant role in human health care. CAM is known to have a strong reputation and reliability within every culture to provide basic health care treatment for patients. CAM acts as a better therapeutic option in human being for treating various diseases and improving quality of life with apt consideration to the economic aspects. Acupressure, one of the known CAM, originated in ancient China is based on the principal of acupoints activation across the meridians which correct the imbalance between Activation of specific points on the meridians is known to facilitate reduction of pain at the local sites. It also reduces the pain from other body parts. This review outlines various types, devices and mechanisms involved in the acupressure treatment.
PubMed: 28417094
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.06.004 -
Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal Sep 2013Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is the most common medical condition of pregnancy, affecting up to 85% of expecting mothers. NVP can have serious adverse effects...
BACKGROUND
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is the most common medical condition of pregnancy, affecting up to 85% of expecting mothers. NVP can have serious adverse effects on the quality of a woman's life, social, and domestic functioning, and her general well-being. Therefore, it is very important to treat this condition.
OBJECTIVES
The effectiveness of ginger and acupressure in the treatment of NVP was compared in the present study.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
159 eligible pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and/or vomiting before 16 weeks gestational age participated in a 7-day clinical trial. They were divided randomly into three groups: the acupressure, ginger, and control. Participants did not receive any intervention for three days and interventions were performed for the women in acupressure and ginger groups for four days. No intervention was performed for the control group. Data was collected by self-recorded symptoms according to the Rhodes index. Data was analyzed by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests for quantitative and qualitative variables.
RESULTS
There were no statistical differences in the baseline demographics between the three groups. ANOVA test showed that there were significantly differences in mean difference Rhodes index scores (vomiting, nausea, retching and total score) in the three groups (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Ginger is more effective than acupressure to relieve mild to moderate nausea and vomiting in symptomatic pregnant women in less than 16 weeks of gestational age.
PubMed: 24616799
DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.12984 -
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 -
World Journal of Psychiatry Jan 2022Depression is recognized as a major public health problem with a substantial impact on individuals and society. Complementary therapies such as acupressure may be...
BACKGROUND
Depression is recognized as a major public health problem with a substantial impact on individuals and society. Complementary therapies such as acupressure may be considered a safe and cost-effective treatment for people with depression. An increasing body of research has been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of acupressure in various populations with depression, but the evidence thus far is inconclusive.
AIM
To examine the efficacy of acupressure on depression.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, and China National Knowledge (CNKI). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or single-group trials in which acupressure was compared with control methods or baseline in people with depression were included. Data were synthesized using a random-effects or a fixed-effects model to analyze the impacts of acupressure treatment on depression and anxiety in people with depression. The primary outcome measures were set for depression symptoms. Subgroups were created, and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore which factors are relevant to the greater or lesser effects of treating symptoms.
RESULTS
A total of 14 RCTs (1439 participants) were identified. Analysis of the between-group showed that acupressure was effective in reducing depression [Standardized mean differences (SMDs) = -0.58, 95%CI: -0.85 to -0.32, < 0.0001] and anxiety (SMD = -0.67, 95%CI: -0.99 to -0.36, < 0.0001) in participants with mild-to-moderate primary and secondary depression. Subgroup analyses suggested that acupressure significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared with different controlled conditions and in participants with different ages, clinical conditions, and duration of intervention. Adverse events, including hypotension, dizziness, palpitation, and headache, were reported in one study.
CONCLUSION
The evidence of acupressure for mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms was significant. Importantly, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to study limitations. Future research with a well-designed mixed method is required to consolidate the conclusion and provide an in-depth understanding of potential mechanisms underlying the effects.
PubMed: 35111587
DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i1.169 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jan 2023Background and Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current evidence to examine the safety and effectiveness of auricular acupressure... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current evidence to examine the safety and effectiveness of auricular acupressure on dry eye diseases. Materials and Methods: Twenty databases were searched from their inception until November 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which auricular acupressure was used for dry eye diseases were included. The selection process, data extraction and quantitative were conducted according to the guidelines. Results: Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that compared to artificial tears, auricular acupressure had a favorable effect on prolonging tear breakup time (TBUT), improving the Schirmer I test (SIT) score and the score of symptoms (SOS) of patients with dry eye disease (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the artificial tears alone, auricular acupressure plus artificial tears had a significantly greater SIT score (p < 0.001) and response rate (p = 0.006), significantly longer TBUT (p < 0.001), and significantly lower Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) (p = 0.02) and SOS (p = 0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the auricular acupressure plus artificial tears group and the artificial tears group in terms of cornea fluorescein staining (CFS) (p = 0.09). Conclusions: Auricular acupressure, as a sole intervention or in combination with artificial tears, may have a beneficial effect on dry eye disease. However, more high-quality RCTs need to be included in the future to further prove the positive effects of auricular acupressure on patients with dry eye disease.
Topics: Humans; Lubricant Eye Drops; Acupressure; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Dry Eye Syndromes; Tears
PubMed: 36676806
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010177 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2022Studies on the efficacy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure on sleep disturbances in cancer patients have been growing, but there is no specific and comprehensive...
BACKGROUND
Studies on the efficacy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure on sleep disturbances in cancer patients have been growing, but there is no specific and comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and auricular acupressure on sleep disturbances in cancer survivors based on existing randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
METHODS
Four English-language and four Chinese-language biomedical databases were searched for RCTs published from database inception to July 30, 2021. RCTs comparing acupuncture and auricular acupressure with sham control, drug therapy, behavior therapy, or usual care for managing cancer were included. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias (ROB) tool. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the effect sizes.
RESULTS
Thirteen RCTs with 961 patients were included. The risk of performance bias or reporting bias for most of the included trials was high or unclear. Evidence was not found for short-term effects on sleep scales compared to sham control (MD, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.33-3.64; = 0.02; = 36%), wait list control (MD, 0.40; 95% CI, -0.87-1.68; = 0.54; = 49%), drug therapy (MD, 1.18; 95% CI, -3.09-5.46; = 0.59; = 98%). For long-term effect, two sham-controlled RCTs showed no significance of acupuncture on insomnia scale scores (MD, 1.71; 95% CI, -2.38-5.81; = 0.41; = 89%). Subgroup analyses suggested no evidence that auricular acupressure (MD, 3.14; 95% CI=1.52, 4.76; = 0.0001; I = 0%) or acupuncture (MD, 0.54; 95% CI=-1.27, 2.34; = 0.56; I = 0%) was associated with the reduction in insomnia scale scores.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis found no evidence about acupuncture or auricular acupressure in the improvement of sleep disturbances in cancer survivors in terms of short- or long-term effect. Adverse events were minor. The finding was inconsistent with previous research and suggested that more well-designed and large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to identify the efficacy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure for sleep disturbances in cancer survivors.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42020171612.
PubMed: 35664757
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.856093