Effects of Hand Acupressure on Sleep Quality and Pruritus in Patients on Hemodialysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hand acupressure on sleep quality and pruritus in patients on hemodialysis and to propose an effective, evidence-based nursing intervention. Methods: This was a single-blind, placebo-controlled, group comparison study with 40 participants. The intervention was conducted thrice a week for six weeks, and the intervention group (n=20) received hand acupressure on sleep and pruritus-related acupoints (A1, A3, A8, A12, A16, C5, C8, I2, E8, N5, G11, K9, B19, J2, J5, N9) by attaching Seoambong and pressing with Seoamchimbong. The placebo-controlled group (n=20) received hand acupressure on sites irrelevant to sleep or pruritus in the same way as the intervention group. Data were collected before and six weeks after the intervention. Results: There were significant inter-group differences in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, and subjective pruritus. However, there were no significant inter-group differences in time of awakenings. Conclusion: Hand acupressure was found to be an effective nursing intervention to improve sleep quality and reduce pruritus in patients on hemodialysis.