The effect of acupressure on quality of life among female nurses with chronic back pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain is one of the most common work-related diseases and most important of musculoskeletal disorders in nursing professionals and because of the physical and psychological effects, has a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). Acupressure is a holistic form of complementary medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on QOL among female nurses with chronic back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 50 nurses with chronic back pain working at the selected hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. After convenient sampling, the subjects were randomly allocated, through lottery, to the two groups of experimental (n = 25) and sham (n = 25). In the experimental group, acupressure techniques were performed during 9 sessions, 3 times a week for 14 min for each patient. In the sham group, points within 1 cm of the main points were only touched. Data were collected using the SF36 questioner, before, and immediately, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Independent t-test showed that the mean total score of QOL before the intervention was not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention (P = .68). However, it was significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the Sham group, immediately, 2 weeks, and 1 month after the intervention (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure on specific points of the foot and back improves back pain and as a result, increases QOL. Therefore, acupressure can be used as a drug-free and low-cost approach without side effects to improve QOL in nurses with chronic back pain.