The Effectiveness of Acupressure for Managing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety in Patients With Thoracoscopic Surgery

Professor, School of Nursing, China Medical University Hospital, Principal Investigator

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of acupressure for managing postoperative pain, anxiety, analgesia consumption, early ambulation, and comfort in patients with thoracoscopic surgery.

Thoracoscopic surgery is the surgical used to removal of a section or a segment of a lung lobe. One US national survey reported that 80% of patients undergoing pulmonary surgery experienced acute pain. 75-86% of these patients pointed out that experienced moderate, severe, or extreme pain, especially, on the 1st day after thoracoscopic surgery. However, inappropriate pain management after surgery is associated with limited the healing process, increased workload of heart, prolonged pulmonary rehabilitation, and increased medical costs, and can be a prediction of developing chronic pain. Acupressure is a nonpharmacological treatment for the management of postoperative pain. Recent studies have found that the application of acupressure is effective in decreasing operative pain intensity, morphine related side effects, and opioid consumptions after surgery. However, there was no further research about the role of acupressure applied to thoracoscopic surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pulmonary lung disease and will be scheduled to undergo a thoracoscopic wedge resection, segmentectomy, or lobectomy.
• American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status of Classes I-II,
• both forearms without missing limbs or arteriovenous fistula
• ability to communicate in Taiwanese or Chinese, and
• agreement to participate in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed as malignant neoplasm with lung meta,
• Had a stroke or peripheral vascular disease
• Platelet count less than 20 x 10^3/mm^3
• Using the patient controlled analgesia, and
• any known mental illness or memory dysfunction.