Effect of Acupressure Applied Before CAG on Pain, Anxiety and Vital Signs

The Effect of Acupressure Applied Before Coronary Angiography on Pain, Anxiety and Vital Signs in Patients

This randomized controlled experimental study aimed to determine the effects of acupressure applied before the procedure on pain, anxiety and vital signs in patients who applied to Kocaeli City Hospital Angiography Unit and were to undergo planned radial artery coronary angiography.

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted at the Kocaeli City Hospital Angiography Unit to determine the effects of acupressure applied before coronary angiography on pain, anxiety and vital signs of the patients scheduled to undergo coronary angiography. It was conducted at the Kocaeli City Hospital Angiography Unit. The study used a stratified block randomization method and 93 patients who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to two different intervention groups, one of which received acupressure and the other a sham intervention before coronary angiography, and a control group receiving standard care. Data were collected using the 'Personal Information Form', 'State Anxiety Inventory (STAI)', 'Visual Analog Scale (VAS)' and 'Patient Follow-up Form'.

Inclusion criteria for the study

• Over 18 years of age,
• Able to understand and speak Turkish,
• Open to communication,
• First time undergoing radial artery coronary angiography,
• Elective patients undergoing planned (non-urgent) coronary angiography,
• Patients who did not undergo stent/balloon intervention during angiography,
• Awake and conscious during coronary intervention (not having taken sedatives (dormicum/fentanyl))
• No deformities or lesions in the areas where acupressure will be applied (hematoma, ecchymosis, etc.)
• Having not taken sedatives or painkillers 5 hours before the angiography,
• No experience with acupressure,
• No history of attending training courses and yoga classes to control stress and anxiety in the last six months
• No diagnosis of anxiety disorder and not receiving medical treatment
• No diagnosis of depression and not receiving medical treatment
• Flat on the back (patients without respiratory distress, etc.),
• Hemodynamically stable (no chest pain or arrhythmia),
• Patients who volunteer to participate in the study,

Exclusion criteria for the study

• Diagnosed with any psychiatric disease
• Previously undergone coronary angiography from the radial or femoral artery
• Chronic pain
• Used opioid medication
• CAG procedure to be performed from the femoral artery