Effect of acupressure on post tonsillectomy pain in adolescents: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Pain Management
• Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a frequent pediatric surgical procedure worldwide.
• Effective pain management is crucial for children undergoing tonsillectomy.
• Post-tonsillectomy pain can significantly impact recovery and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of acupressure in alleviating pain following pediatric tonsillectomy.
• To compare the pain levels in children receiving acupressure versus control and placebo interventions.
• To determine if acupressure is a viable non-pharmacological option for post-tonsillectomy pain relief.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 144 children aged 5-12 years.
• Participants were allocated to three groups: acupressure, sham acupressure (placebo), and routine care (control).
• Acupressure was applied to specific acupoints in the intervention group.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant reduction in pain scores was observed in the acupressure group compared to baseline.
• The study demonstrated a positive effect of acupressure on pain reduction post-tonsillectomy.
• Pain scores were significantly different across the three time periods after surgery in the acupressure group (p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

• Acupressure is effective in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain in children.
• The findings support the use of acupressure as a complementary therapy for pediatric pain management after tonsillectomy.
• Acupressure offers a safe and potentially beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for post-operative pain in children.