The effect of acupressure on respiratory indices in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Acupressure as an uncomplicated and non-prescriptive approach may improve respiratory performance in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. The present study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on respiratory indices in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Materials and Method: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted in three university hospitals in Tehran. 164 patients undergoing hemodynamic stability, GCS ≥ 9 and eligible for mechanical ventilation, were randomly assigned to one of the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received acupressure daily, twice a day for two consecutive days with routine care, but the control group received usual care. Acupressure intervention was performed in Zongfeng, Taiwan, Hugo, Niguang and Zooslanli locations for 20 minutes. In each session, the respiratory indices of the patients were measured at four stages, before, immediately, 30 minutes and one hour after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 18 and inferential statistical tests. Finding: Statistically significant difference was reported between groups regarding spontaneous respiratory rate (P = 0.025) and spontaneous minute volume (P = 0.005). In intra-group comparison, there was a significant improvement in expiratory tidal volume in the intervention group. The effect of acupressure on each intervention session was immediate and did not have a cumulative effect. Conclusion: Acupressure could improve respiratory indices in patients with mechanical ventilation. Thus nurses of the intensive care unit can accelerate the improvement of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation using this non-pharmacological approach.