The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pruritus, Skin Dryness, and Depression in Hemodialysis Patients

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on pruritus, skin dryness, and depression in hemodialysis patients.Methods: This was a randomized control group pre-post experimental study. Fifty-four patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at a single center voluntarily participated in the study. Twenty-seven participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group, to whom auricular acupressure was applied to five designated acupoints (shenmen, heart, kidney, lung, and occiput) for 5 weeks. The control group (n=27) received no intervention for the first 5 weeks, and the auricular acupressure intervention was administered due to ethical considerations after 5 weeks. Pruritus, pruritus-related sleep disturbance, and depression were scored accordingly. Skin dryness was assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) levels.Results: Auricular acupressure therapy significantly reduced pruritus (z=-3.97, p<.001) and pruritus-related sleep disturbance (z=-2.97, p=.003) in the experimental group. TEWL showed a significant reduction in the arm (z=-2.23, p=.026) and body (z=-1.97, p=.049) but not in the leg. There were no differences in SCH levels and depression (z=-0.35, p=.721).Conclusion: Auricular acupressure therapy effectively alleviated pruritus and skin dryness. This study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of auricular acupressure therapy as a viable intervention for pruritus in hemodialysis patients.