Acupressure Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain and Quality of Life Intradialysis

Acupressure Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain and Quality of Life Intradialysis

Hemodialysis patients have a high prevalence of pain, mainly musculoskeletal and intra dialytic pain. A high prevalence of pain was also observed in the upper and lower limbs and the trunk. In addition, severe functional interference of pain in the ability to walk was associated with pain in the upper Limb. These results indicate that pain in hemodialysis patients is limiting and disabling (Dos Santos et al., 2021).

Acupressure increases relaxation, relieves pain, and reduces anxiety and depression, especially in the elderly. It is relatively inexpensive, safe, non-invasive, and easy to use and is performed by hands, elbows. by applying pressure to specific areas of the body so muscle spasms are relieved, blood circulation and vital energy are improved (Bastani et al.,2022).

Strong non-painful TENS within or close to the site of pain produces clinically important reductions in the intensity of pain during or immediately after treatment. With no reports of serious adverse events. TENS as an adjunct to core treatment or immediate short-term relief of pain, irrespective of diagnosis. Patients should be advised to tailor TENS Treatment according to their individual needs (Johnson et al., 2022).

Sixty patients will be randomly assigned into two equal groups (n=30):

1. Group A (30 patients) will receive Acupressure three times per week for eight weeks.
2. Group B (30 patients) will receive TENS three times per week for eight weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Sixty patients with renal failure stage 5 undergoing hemodialysis sessions at least six months ago up to 2 years.

  • Participants with lower limb pain and brief pain inventory (BPI) pain score between 7 and 10 points.
  • Body mass index ranges from 25 to 29.9.
  • Their ages range from 50-60 years old.
  • All patients will be under full medical control.
  • Patients will be free from lower limb dialysis grafting.
  • Hemoglobin level more than 10 mg\dl.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Skin disease such as dermatitis, stitches and wound.
• Active infection, autoimmune diseases and malignancy.
• Severe cardiac diseases.
• Severe chest diseases.
• Patients with cardiac pacemaker.
• Epilepsy.
• Using another integrative treatment method during the study.
• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Deep vein thrombosis.
• Lumber disc prolapses affect lower limb.