Effect of acupressure on intradialytic hypertension among patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

: A quasi experimental study was done to assess the effectiveness of acupressure on intradialytic hypertension among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Holy Cross Hospital, Kottiyam, Kollam. The objectives  of the study were  to  assess  the pre-test scores of IDH in experimental group(Group I) and control group (Group II), to determine the post-test scores of  IDH among Group I    after acupressure and in Group II, to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on IDH  in Group I in comparison with Group II and to find out  the association between pre-  test scores of IDH with selected demographic variables of Group I and Group II. A quantitative research approach with pre-test post-test control group design was selected for the study. The study was conducted among 60 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for more than 3 months in Holy Cross Hospital. By purposive sampling technique, sample were alternately assigned to experimental and control groups. Baseline proforma, BP chart and digital sphygmomanometer were used for the data collection.  Acupressure was given to three acupoints for 5 minutes for three successive hemodialysis days. The study reveals that there was reduction in intradialytic hypertension scores of experimental group when compared with control group, thus acupressure was statistically significant at 0.01 level (t value for systolic blood pressure 6.59, p<0.000,  t value for diastolic blood pressure  12.22,  p<0.000).  The study revealed that acupressure is an effective method for reducing IDH.