The Effect of Self Acupressure in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Patients with MS use non-pharmacological methods as well as pharmacological methods in the treatment of their symptoms. Acupuncture, acupressure, aquatherapy, reflexology and aromatherapy are also complementary and integrated methods frequently used in patients with MS. Integrated methods, which have an important place in independent nursing practices, have been preferred in nursing practices in recent years due to their safety, ease of application and minimal side effects. In addition, acupressure application is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification, and is a method that increases the independent functions of the nurse and improves patient-nurse interaction.

In addition to pharmacological methods, patients with MS also use non-pharmacological methods in the treatment of the symptoms they experience. Acupuncture, acupressure, aquatherapy, reflexology and aromatherapy are also complementary and integrated methods frequently used in MS. Integrated methods, which have an important place in independent nursing practices, have been preferred in nursing practices in recent years due to their safety, ease of application and minimal side effects. In addition, acupressure application is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), and is a method that increases the independent functions of the nurse and improves patient-nurse interaction. In addition, it is reported that acupressure, which is used in symptom control, should be used in care plans by nurses because it is one of the integrated methods. Acupressure, one of the integrated treatment methods used for many years, can be applied to increase sleep quality and reduce fatigue levels. Acupressure is a massage technique based on the principle of applying pressure to specific points on the body using hands, fingers and stimulator tools. It has been determined that acupressure, which is reported to be applied safely by nurses in the literature, is effective in controlling fatigue, pain, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, quality of life and stress levels of patients with MS. Therefore, nurses should be able to apply integrated methods in the management of symptoms experienced by patients with MS in cooperation with other members of the healthcare team and inform patients about these methods. It is believed that the results of the study to be conducted on this subject will contribute to nursing interventions in the symptom management of MS.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 18-65,
* Those who can read and write,
* Those who can speak Turkish,
* Patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis,
* Patients who do not have a neurological disease other than MS,
* Those who volunteer to participate in our study,
* Patients who are conscious and do not have a psychiatric health problem

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Patients with nerve, soft tissue, vascular disease infections in their extremities, who have undergone surgery,

  * Patients with bleeding problems, pacemaker or heart failure and a diagnosed condition, mass and flattening in the neck,
  * Patients with a diagnosis other than MS (such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm, dementia, a psychiatric disease),
  * Patients who have had a hemorrhagic stroke,
  * Patients with malignancy,
  * Patients with vision and hearing problems,
  * Patients who do not volunteer to participate in our study