Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among the elderly that causes pain, joint stiffness and muscle weakness. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique that causes the energy balance in the body through acupoints massage and improving the comfort and health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure on pain and stiffness of knee among elderly nursing home residents with osteoarthritis.

Methods: The present study is a randomized clinical trial. The population included all the elders with osteoarthritis of the knees settled in nursing homes in Tehran. The sample of our study consisted of 51 elders (men and women) aged over 60 years in three groups as follows: real points acupressure (15 elders of first nursing home), sham group (15 elders of second nursing home), and control group (21 elders of third nursing home). The three groups randomly allocated to these three nursing homes. For both of the intervention groups, massage was performed in form of 10 sessions of 15 minutes three days a week on 8 real and sham pressure points. To assess knee pain and stiffness in patients before and after intervention Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) instrument was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS19 statistical software, and chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test and analysis of variance.

Results: Before intervention three groups were comparable in aspects of knee pain severity and stiffness. After intervention acupressure group showed a significant pain relief (P<0/001) and stiffness reduction (P<0/001) compared to baseline values. Also, Comparison of the three groups before intervention about pain and stiffness showed no statistically significant differences. After intervention the intervention group showed a significant difference in mean pain intensity (P<0/001) compared to other two groups, but reduction in the severity of knee stiffness was not significant (P=0/342).

Conclusion: According to effects of acupressure on pain of knee among elderly with osteoarthritis under this study and low cost, safety and simplicity of the procedure, it is suggested that this technique to be used more widely in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee.