Effectiveness of acupressure on bio-physiological parameters in mediosternotomy patients

Abstract

Acupressure is one of the emerging alternative therapies for the management of the pain, anxiety and other physiological indexes. The present study was conducted at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield, Bangalore. A total of twenty male and female patients those who undergo open heart surgery via median sternotomy were part of the study after obtaining the written informed consent. After recording the demographic data, the participants were randomly grouped into control and intervention groups using random numbers generated by computer with 10 participants in each group. The intervention was provided at PC6 acupressure point, situated on the inner side of forearm, three fingers below the wrist joint, three times a day (5-6am, 12 noon-1pm, 5-6pm) for four days. There was a significant decrease in the heart rate and blood pressure and significant increase in the partial pressure of oxygen. Further, there was decrease in the serum troponin T levels. The study support implementation of the acupressure.