The Effects of Acupressure on Preoperative Anxiety, Postoperative Pain, and Nausea and Vomiting in Otolaryngology Patients

Surgical patients frequently experience symptoms such as preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acupressure on preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and nausea and vomiting in otolaryngology patients. The study was designed as a prospective, assessor-blinded, parallel, 2-armed (1:1), randomized controlled trial. The sample of this study consisted of 60 otolaryngology patients. Patients were assigned to the acupressure (n = 30) or control (n = 30) groups (1:1) through randomization. During the preoperative period, participants in the acupressure group received a 15-minute treatment involving pressure applied to the HT7, LI4, and EX-HN3 points. No intervention was administered to participants in the control group. Preoperative anxiety levels were evaluated using the State Anxiety Scale both before and 15 minutes after the acupressure application. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale at 4 hours postoperatively, at 10:00 p.m., at 08:00 a.m., and upon discharge. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were assessed at discharge using the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching. Although the preoperative anxiety of the control group increased in the operating room waiting area, that of the acupressure group decreased significantly (P = .033). The postoperative pain severity levels of the 2 groups were similar at the fourth hour after surgery and at 10:00 p.m. (P > .05), whereas they were significantly lower at 08:00 a.m. (P = .04) and discharge (P = .048) in the acupressure group. No significant difference was found between the groups in postoperative nausea and vomiting symptoms (P > .05). Acupressure was effective in reducing the severity of preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in otolaryngology patients, but the same effect was not observed in postoperative nausea and vomiting.