Acupressure, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
Nursing home (NH) residents suffer from sleep disturbances which are associated with a low quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of comparing acupressure on specific acupoints with acupressure on non-specific acupoints in older NH residents with sleep disturbances.


METHODS
A randomized control trial with a pre- and post-test design.


METHODS
One NH in Taiwan.


METHODS
Sixty-two older NH residents were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 31) and a sham-controlled group (n = 31).


METHODS
The experimental group received acupressure on the Tian-Zhu, Ju-Que, Yong-Quan, Bai-Hui, and Nei-Guan acupoints three times a week for 8 weeks, for 24 minutes each time, while the control group received a massage at locations with no acupoints, which were 10 mm from the true points, at the same frequency as the experimental group.


METHODS
The primary outcome was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the secondary outcome was measured using the Short-form 36 (SF-36). Data were collected at baseline, the end of treatment, and 4 weeks after completion of treatment.


RESULTS
Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly better scores on the PSQI (t = -7.72, P < 0.001) and SF-36 (t = 1.34, P < 0.001) during the intervention period. The improvements in the PSQI and SF-36 scores were still significant (P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding variables by generalized estimating equations.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that acupressure on the Tian-Zhu, Ju-Que, Yong-Quan, Bai-Hui, and Nei-Guan acupoints can improve the quality of sleep and life among NH residents. Acupressure is a promising intervention that may improve well-being for NH residents with sleep disturbances.
School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Fu-Chih
FC
Lai
Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.|Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
I-Hui
IH
Chen
Department of Nursing, Hsin Sheng College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Pao-Ju
PJ
Chen
Department of Healthcare Administration & Office of Physical Education, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
I-Ju
IJ
Chen
Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Hui-Wen
HW
Chien
Nursing Department, Yuanli Lee's General Hospital, Lee's Medical Corporation, Miaoli, Taiwan.
Chih-Fen
CF
Yuan
D019050:Acupressure; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome
acupressure; complementary therapies; sleep disturbances