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. 2023;16(3):282-291.
doi: 10.22037/ghfbb.v16i2.2720.

Effects of acupressure on intestinal function in patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Fatemeh Khan-Mohammadi  1 , Hedayat Jafari  2 , Masoumeh Bagheri-Nesami  2   3 , Mahmood Moosazadeh  4   5 , Mahsa Kamali  6 , Nadali Esmaeili-Ahangarkelai  3 , Kamran Quds  7
Affiliations

Effects of acupressure on intestinal function in patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Fatemeh Khan-Mohammadi et al. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2023.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of acupressure on the intestinal function of patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.

Background: Studies indicated that cardiovascular patients are prone to constipation. Acupressure is one of the therapeutic and palliative approaches that can be used by doctors, nurses, and even patients themselves.

Methods: The present three-group randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing CABG surgery. In the intervention group, 48 hours after surgery the patients received acupressure points LI4 and ST25 twice a day (10 am and 6 pm) for three sequential days. In the sham group, the patients received acupressure at a 1.5 cm distance from the LI4-ST25 points, and the patients in the control group received only the usual care. This research used a demographic and medical information questionnaire, Rome IV scale, Bristol stool scale, symptom registration checklist, and daily excretion assessment checklist. The intestinal function indices were completed 24 hours after surgery (before intervention), 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after surgery.

Results: All three intervention, sham, and control groups were without defecation in 24 hours (before intervention) and 48 hours after surgery. There was a significant difference between the three intervention, sham, and control groups in the number of stools after 72 hours, 96 hours, and 120 hours after the intervention (p<0.001). Also, a significant difference was observed among the three groups in terms of stool consistency 96 hours after the start of the intervention (p=0.032) and 120 hours after the start of the intervention (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The results showed that patients had a significant improvement in the number of bowel movements and stool consistency in the intervention group. In acute conditions, acupressure on LI4-ST25 points can positively affect intestinal function when patients are hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Keywords: Acupressure; Bowel function; Constipation; Coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
ST 25 and LI4 acupressure points
Figure 1
Figure 1
Consort diagram
Figure 2
Figure 2
Probability of survival of constipation according to the hours of defecation according to the intervention, sham and control groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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