title: The effects of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea in Iranian medical sciences students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled pre and post-test design was employed to verify the effects of SP6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 young college female students with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received SP6 acupressure during menstruation cycle and the control group received light touch on the SP6 acupoint. Using a Visual Analog Scale, the severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed prior to and immediately, 30 min, 1, 2, and 3 h following treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed using X(2), t-test and ANOVA statistical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were observed in the scores of dysmenorrhea between the two groups immediately after (3.50 ± 1.42 vs. 5.06 ± 1.43, p = 0.004) and also 3 h after treatment (1.66 ± 1.98 vs. 4.80 ± 1.37, p = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupressure on the SP6 meridian can be an effective non-invasive nursing intervention for alleviating primary dysmenorrhea and its effects last for 3 h post-treatment.
authors.affiliation: Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Medical Surgical Nursing Department, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mirbagher-Ajorpaz
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adib-Hajbaghery
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosaebi
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult