The Effect of Acupressure on Severity of Pain and Level of Anxiety for Patients Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Background: Experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and pain are common symptoms after cardiac surgery, which is very challenging to treat with medical treatment. Acupressure is promising because it’s nonpharmacologic, has no apparent side effects, and has been used to improve postoperative outcomes. Aim of this study: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure on severity of pain and level of anxiety for patients post coronary artery bypass graft. Design: Quasi-experimental research design was used to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: This study was conducted at open heart surgery unit at Misr University for Science and Technology hospital and at Academic Institute for Heart Surgery Ain Shams University hospital. Subjects: A Purposive sample of 80 adult patients was included in the study. Tools: Three tools were used; structured interviewing questionnaire, Numerical scale of pain and State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: the 85% and 67.5% of the study group had severe pain and anxiety pre acupressure intervention compared to only 7.5% and 15% of them post intervention, while, about 75% of the control group had severe pain and anxiety pre intervention compared to 52.5% and 65% of them post intervention. There was high statistically significant difference between both groups regarding pain severity and anxiety level pre to post acupressure intervention. Conclusion: The study concluded that acupressure had a positive effect on reduction of severity of pain and level of anxiety post coronary artery bypass graft. Recommendations: It is recommended that nurses should consider using acupressure as an effective technique for pain and anxiety management in addition to drug therapy.