The effectiveness of valerian acupressure on the sleep of ICU patients: A randomized clinical trial

Severely ill patients often experience problems with sleep. Either acupressure or valerian aromatherapy are reported as helpful in promoting sleep. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of valerian acupressure on the sleep of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). A randomiz...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of nursing studies 2012-08, Vol.49 (8), p.913-920
Main Authors: Chen, Ji-Han, Chao, Yuh-Huey, Lu, Shu-Fen, Shiung, Tao-Fen, Chao, Yann-Fen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actigraphy
Acupressure
Acupressure - methods
Aged
Aromatherapy
Clinical trials
Critical Illness
Female
Humans
ICU patients
Intensive care
Intensive Care Units
Male
Nursing
Oils, Volatile - therapeutic use
Patients
Sleep
Sleep quality
Sleep time
Sleep Wake Disorders - therapy
Taiwan
Valerian
Valerian oil
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Severely ill patients often experience problems with sleep. Either acupressure or valerian aromatherapy are reported as helpful in promoting sleep. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of valerian acupressure on the sleep of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). A randomized clinical trial. A 42-bed adult intensive care unit. Forty-one subjects in the experimental group and 44 subjects in the control group. The measurement included observation, and actigraphy measures during 10pm–6am, and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) measures on the next morning. Experimental groups received valerian acupressure on the Shenmen, Neiguan, and Yongquan acupoints between 7pm and 10pm of the second day while control groups received regular treatment. Heart rate was measured for 5min before and after valerian acupressure present for HR variability analysis to measure relaxation response. The results indicated that after receiving valerian acupressure, patients’ sleeping hours increased, wake frequency reduced and SSS grades declined. The HR variability data indicated relaxation response immediately after valerian acupressure. This study supports the hypothesis that valerian acupressure on the Shenmen, Neiguan, and Yongquan acupoints could improve the sleeping time and quality of ICU patients.
ISSN:0020-7489
1873-491X
DOI:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.02.012