Effects of self-acupressure on pregnancy-related constipation: A single-blind randomized controlled study


Kirca A. Ş., KANZA GÜL D.

Explore, cilt.17, sa.5, ss.463-468, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.07.004
  • Dergi Adı: Explore
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.463-468
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Self-acupressure, Constipation, Pregnancy, Education
  • İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate that acupressure could be used to relieve the symptoms of constipation during pregnancy. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial Setting: Private Medipol Nisa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Intervention: This trial including 120 women aged ≥20 years was conducted from November 2019 to February 2020. The participating women who were in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester of their pregnancy, had singleton pregnancy and had a complaint of constipation were randomized into the acupressure (n = 75) and control groups (n = 75). The women in the acupressure group applied 15 min of self-acupressure to the TH-6 acupuncture point twice a day for one week. The women in the control group received no intervention treatment. Main outcome measures: Constipation levels of the participants in the two groups were assessed before and after the procedure using the Constipation Severity Instrument Results: In the present study, after the application of self-acupressure, the severity of constipation decreased significantly in the acupressure group compared to the control group (before treatment: 41.36 ± 6.5 vs. 37.56 ± 6.17 respectively, after treatment: 26.08 ± 7.93 vs. 36.88 ± 5.93, respectively, p < 0.01) Conclusion: Although it is safe to use medical drugs in constipation associated with pregnancy, can't reduce it to the extent desired. This study's evidence indicates that self-administered acupressure can effectively alleviate the symptoms of constipation in clinical practice.