Effects of Auricular Acupressure in Patients on Hemodialysis

JUNG, Eun Sook ; CHANG, Ae Kyung

Full text

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 4-week auricular acupressure treatment on xerostomia, salivary flow rate, interdialytic weight gain, constipation, and diet-related quality of life in patients on hemodialysis in Korea.
All of the participants in the experimental group received AA on five auricular acupoints, including the large intestine (CO7), San Jiao (CO17), middle triangular fossa (TF3), spleen (CO13), and upper tragus (TG1)

Results
The experimental group scored significantly better than the control group in terms of xerostomia (p = .004), salivary flow rate (p = .010), constipation (p = .009), and diet-related quality of life (p < .001).

Conclusions
AA decreases xerostomia and constipation and improves salivary flow rate and diet-related quality of life. AA acts through the stimulation of the acupuncture points of the ear to prevent disease, improve health, and enhance quality of life. Therefore, AA may be an important tool to alleviate negative symptoms and improve overall quality of life in patients on hemodialysis. In addition, because of its noninvasive nature, AA is recommended for use as an effective, independent nursing intervention.

Index