The Effect of Acupressure in Improving Constipation Among Inpatients in Neurology Departments

Taiwan Taichung Veterans General Hospital

As a form of non-invasive auxiliary care, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure can prevent constipation, reduce medication for constipation, save medical costs, and alleviate constipation among inpatients in neurology departments, as well as improve patients' general ease and comfort of defecation, thereby improving their quality of life. It also provides clinical nursing staff with a more effective, safer, and more comfortable auxiliary method of preventing constipation, and can be used as a reference for the nursing of such patients.

Background: Constipation is a common problem among geriatric patients and in neurology departments. However, using stool softeners and enemas yield only temporary effects and may even lead to alternating constipation, diarrhea, and metabolic disorders. Because of its non-invasive nature, Acupressure can be used as adjuvant therapy of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine to prevent constipation among inpatients in neurology departments. It is necessary to verify that Acupressure can be applied to avoid and alleviate patients' constipation, improve their comfort, and improve their quality of life.

Objective: To explore the effect of Acupressure in alleviating constipation among inpatients in neurology departments.Method: A randomized controlled two-group pre-test and post-test experiment design were adopted in this study; neurology department inpatients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which comprised 64 subjects receiving Acupressure on three acupoints (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25; Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12; Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6) or the control group which comprised 64 subjects receiving routine nursing and fake Acupressure. The research tools included the Bristol Stool Form and Constipation Assessment Scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 20 years old
2. Established diagnosis of stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic acute phase)
3. NIHSS 1-20 points
4. Undiagnosed within three months before admission With intestinal disease and no rectal resection
5. meeting the diagnostic criteria for functional constipation (Rome IV).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Abdominal surgery or abdominal radiotherapy within three months
2. Abdominal cancer including liver, large intestine, lymph, and pelvic cavity, etc.,
3. Massive ascites
4. There are implants in the abdominal cavity, such as V-P Shunt, L-P Shunt, CAPD, etc.