The effect on gastrointestinal system functions, pain and anxiety of acupressure applied following laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation: A randomised, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

The aim of this randomised, placebo-controlled, 3-way blinded study was to determine the effect on GIS symptoms, pain and anxiety of acupressure applied for a total of 12 min, as 3 min at each of the ST25, CV12, TH6, and HT7 acupuncture points, at 0, 4 and 8 h after laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation. The research data were collected using a patient data collection form, the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The patients were evaluated in respect of the time to first flatus and defecation, pain and the State-Trait Anxiety points at 0, 4, and 8 h postoperatively. The application of acupressure was determined to have signficantly reduced acute postoperative pain and shortened the time to defecation (p < 0.05). The application of acupressure can be recommended in the nursing interventions following laparoscopic cholecystectomy to reduce acute pain and shorten the time to defecation.

Keywords: Acupressure; Anxiety; Gastrointestinal system functions; Laporascopic cholecystectomy; Nursing; Pain.