title: Acupressure at BL60 and K3 Points Before Heel Lancing in Preterm Infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art. In this pain-relieving method, the fingers are used to press key acupuncture points on the skin surface that stimulates the body׳s regulatory processes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acupressure at Kun Lun (UB60) and Taixi (K3) points for pain management in preterm infants prior to heel lancing for blood collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, randomized controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study setting was the neonatal intensive care unit at Baskent University Hospital in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 32 preterm infants between 28 and 36 weeks׳ gestational age were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an acupressure group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16).
  
  
  METHODS
  In the acupressure group, immediately before the heel prick, acupressure was applied for three minutes at UB60 and K3 points.
  
  
  METHODS
  A behavioral pain score was determined using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, age at time of procedure, weight at time of procedure, or PIPP score. Mean duration of procedure and mean duration of crying were both shorter in the acupressure group (both P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Applying acupressure at the BL60 and K3 points before heel lancing was associated with shorter procedural time and shorter duration of crying in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, 10. Sokak, No: 4506490, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: doktoraslihan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aslıhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbasoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Tuğrul
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cabıoğlu
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, 10. Sokak, No: 4506490, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Ulaş
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Tuğcu
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz Anuk
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: İnce
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa Agah
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tekindal
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, 10. Sokak, No: 4506490, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ecevit
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, 10. Sokak, No: 4506490, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarcan
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Acupressure; heel lancing; preterm infant; procedural pain