Self- Administered Acupressure for Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Effect of Self- Administered Acupressure on Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients' Health Outcomes: a Double Blind- Sham Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aims to assess the effect of active self- administered acupressure compared to sham self- administered acupressure on the health outcome for patient with diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Research suggests promising benefits of acupuncture in terms of symptom control and quality of life improvements in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. but the cost of the needle and the invasive nature of the procedure decreases patient compliance with acupuncture. in this respect, acupressure can be taught to patients to allow them to perform it themselves, instead of being administered by practitioners. Self-administered acupressure is less time-intensive, low-cost, and flexible to perform. Nurses involved in irritable bowel syndrome patient care play an active role in the practitioner-patient relationship By assessing the specific symptoms that are present, determining the severity of symptoms and the impact on the irritable bowel syndrome patient's life, and being knowledgeable of available treatment options, the nurse involved in irritable bowel syndrome care becomes an essential conduit of information and a valuable facilitator of a positive practitioner-patient therapeutic relationship. In this way, nurses can help to limit the negative consequences of this common disorder and improve overall treatment outcomes in this population. . Thus this study will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of active self-administered acupressure on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome symptoms following Rome IV diagnostic criteria
• Agreed to be on a fixed dose of the pharmacological therapy throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with severe lesions in major organs such as the heart, liver, and kidney, hematopoietic diseases, or tumors
• Eating disorders
• History of major abdominal surgery
• History of neurological and mental illness
• Usage of other treatment rather than the medical treatment regularly 2 weeks before randomization and throughout the study
• Previous history of drug or alcohol abuse 6 months before randomization
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Patient reporting of adequate relief of their irritable bowel syndrome symptoms the week preceding the randomization
• Patient has too mild symptoms ( obtaining less than 75 on Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms severity scale at the baseline assessment)
• Currently participating in other clinical trials