The Effect of Acupressure in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis and affects people's functional status with quality of life. This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients living with knee osteoarthritis. Acupressure application and follow-ups were performed by the researcher in the patient's home environment. The study was performed with 90 patients, 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group. Acupressure was performed two days a week for four weeks with a total of eight sessions on the ST34, ST35, ST36, SP9, SP10, GB34 acupuncture points following an acupressure practice guide prepared by the researcher. It was determined that while the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group before application, they had decreased after application. It was found that all subscale mean scores of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire increased after application in the intervention group. It was concluded that acupressure has decreased pain severity and increased the functional status and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis, pain, nursing, acupressure.

Abstract Background: Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis and affects people's functional status with quality of life.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients living with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods/Design: The study was conducted as an experimental study with a pre-posttest and a control group.

Settings: The study was conducted on patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and attended the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Polyclinics of Nevşehir government hospital in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Acupressure application and follow-ups were performed by the researcher in the patient's home environment.

Participants: The study was performed with 90 patients, 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group.

Intervention: Acupressure was performed two days a week for four weeks with a total of eight sessions on the ST34, ST35, ST36, SP9, SP10, GB34 acupuncture points following an acupressure practice guide prepared by the researcher.

Measurement of efficacy: Data was collected before and after acupressure application by using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* 38 years old and over
* Diagnosed by a doctor with knee OA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria
* had three points and over on the VAS pain scale,
* had no communication problems
* did not have any significant knee trauma within the last six months or an intra-articular steroid injection
* did not have any infection in the lower extremities or wounds, surgery or physiotherapy within the last six months
* those who accepted to participate to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* the patient is not willing to go on the study in any stage of the study and case of any adverse effect of acupressure.