title: [Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Improving the Sleep Quality of Puerperae].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Puerperae exhibit generally poor sleep quality. Previous studies have shown auricular acupressure as effective in improving the sleep problems of nurses, college students, and elderly indigenous Taiwanese women. However, no study has yet examined the effectiveness of auricular acupressure in improving the sleep quality of postpartum women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the efficacy of auricular acupressure (AA) on puerperae who were affected by sleep disturbance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective quasi-experimental design was used and 60 puerperae with insomnia who scored at least 5 on the Chinese of version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI) were recruited at one postpartum centre (a "doing-the-month" care centre) in northern Taiwan. The experimental group (n=30) received pasted auricular magnetic beads and acupressure on the Shenmen, Xin, and Shen points. The control group (n=30) received general nursing directions about insomnia only. All participants were assessed using the CPSQI prior to the intervention and on the 21st post-intervention day. The intervention effects were analysed using the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After three weeks of the AA intervention, the mean global PSQI score had decreased significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). Furthermore, experimental-group participants reported better sleep quality (p<.05), longer total sleep time (p<.001) and lower sleep disturbance (p<.05) than their control-group peers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present pilot study found complementary AA to be an effective intervention for treating puerperae with insomnia. This non-pharmacological and nonintrusive intervention for improving sleep disturbance in puerperae promotes the quality of sleep.
authors.affiliation: MSN, RN, Formerly Nurse, Postpartum Care Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chien-Tzu
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University; Formerly Director, Department of Chinese Medicine Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Jung-Nien
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: EdD, RN, Professor, Department of Nursing, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, ROC. 071462@mail.fju.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yi-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: auricular acupressure; postpartum women; sleep quality