title: Role of acupressure in symptom management in patients with end-stage renal disease: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acupressure is a widely used adjunct for various symptoms in patients with nonchronic kidney disease. However, its role for symptom management in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) populations is not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize and critically evaluate the evidence available from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of acupressure for patients with ESRD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of RCTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen databases were searched from their inceptions through December 2009, irrespective of publication status or language.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 7 RCTs out of 86 screened studies were included and analyzed. Most studies lacked sufficient description to gauge the quality of the RCT. Acupressure was not superior to sham acupressure (n = 2) or to transcutaneous electrical stimulation (n = 1), while studies suggested benefits of acupressure compared to usual care (n = 3), sleep medication (n = 1), and undefined control intervention (n = 1). None of these studies reported any adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No definitive conclusion is available. Future trials should adhere to standards of trial methodology and explicitly report relevant information for evaluation of efficacy and safety of acupressure in patients with ESRD.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kun Hyung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyung Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic