Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Insomnia in Hemodialysis Patients

이압요법이 혈액투석 환자의 불면증에 미치는 효과

  • Lee, Youn-Hee (Artificial Kidney Unit, Bundang CHA General Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Sook-Young (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University)
  • 이연희 (분당차병원 인공신장실) ;
  • 김숙영 (포천중문 의과대학교 간호학부)
  • Received : 2007.05.16
  • Accepted : 2007.06.10
  • Published : 2007.06.30

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on insomnia of hemodialysis patients. Method: The subjects were recruited at a hemodialysis room in B General hospital in Kyonggi-Do. Thirty one patients who have suffered from insomnia were conveniently assigned to an experimental group(n=16) and a control group(n=15). The experimental group received a 2-week intervention composed of a series of six auricular acupressure therapy every 2~3 days. The effect of intervention was measured by completion of a 15-item sleep scale and a sleep satisfaction scale. Result: The sleep score was higher in the experimental group than in the control group(p=.000). The sleep satisfaction score was higher in the experimental group than in the control group(p=.000). Conclusion: The auricular acupressure therapy can improve the sleep and sleep satisfaction scores in hemodialysis patients with insomnia. Auricular acupressure therapy can be used at the clinical settings as a safe and effective independent nursing intervention to decrease insomnia in hemodialysis patients.

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