The effects of acupressure on post-dressing pain in burn patients: A clinical randomized trial

Background and objectives: Burns often cause severe pain, especially during dressing changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on pain during dressing changes in burn patients.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 76 burn patients. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups after obtaining informed consent. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups by blocking. The study was conducted over two days using the same method. Before entering the dressing room, acupressure was performed in the intervention group for 10 min in acupressure points and the control group in other points. Pain intensity was measured in two groups 30 min before entering the dressing room and 15 and 30 min after leaving the dressing room using VAS. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software 25th edition.

Results: Pain scores were similar for the two groups before the dressing change. The results of this study revealed a significant decrease in the patient's pain intensity mean in the test group following acupressure compared to the control group on day one which remained on day two (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the experience of severe pain in burn patients, acupressure is recommended as a complementary method along with modern medicine to reduce these patients' pains.