Objective(s): To assess the effectiveness of acupressure (acupuncture without needle (and synergism of acupoints in reducing and maintaining patient’s anxiety before abdominal surgeries.
Methods: Participants in this randomized controlled trial were 70 patients who were scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery. Patients were randomized to an acupressure group or a placebo group, received acupressure either at the right points or at sham points for 10 mins. Anxiety [recorded on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10)] measured before, following pressure application and 30 minutes after intervention in both groups.
Results: The anxiety decreased in both group following pressure application for 10 min (P<0.001), but these effect sustained 30 mins after intervention only in acupressure group (P<0.001) not in placebo group. Comparison anxiety in following pressure application and 30 mins after intervention between groups was significant.
Conclusion: Acupressure at the Yintang and Shen men points can decrease the anxiety level in patients before abdominal surgeries and sustained lower for 30 mins.
Trial registration: IRCT138811203311N1

Keywords: Acupressure, Preoperative anxiety, Synergism, Acupoints

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