The Effects of Acupressure on Vomiting, Stress, and Anxiety in Chinese Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Objective: To investigate the role of acupressure therapy in helping pregnant women with HG reduce the frequency or severity of vomiting and relieve stress and anxiety. Method: A quantitative study with a quasi-experimental design and non-equivalent group design was used. Sixty-six valid data points were obtained from pregnant mothers diagnosed with HG in a general hospital in Linyi City. These pregnant women received either acupressure (n = 33) or general therapeutic care (n = 33). They completed standardized questionnaires designed to assess vomiting, anxiety, and stress levels. Results: Data showed no differences between the experimental and control groups before the intervention. After the intervention, there were significant differences in anxiety (P ≤ 0.05) and stress (P ≤ 0.05) scores between the two groups. However, there was no significant difference in vomiting scores (P > 0.05) between the two groups after the intervention. The anxiety and stress scores of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group post-intervention, while the vomiting scores of the two groups were similar. Conclusion: The findings suggest that acupressure significantly reduces anxiety and stress in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and also helps reduce vomiting. Acupressure presents a viable clinical option for pregnant women seeking relief from HG symptoms.