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Acupressure intervention for children: A scoping review
Sri Ramdaniati1, Mei Neni Sitaresmi2, Fitri Haryanti3
1Doctorate Program of Medical and Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Belitung Nursing Journal
|January 29, 2025
Summary
Acupressure is a safe and effective complementary therapy for children, offering benefits like pain and anxiety relief. Further research is recommended to fully establish its effectiveness in pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Pediatric Nursing
- Integrative Health
Background:
- Acupressure is a widely adopted complementary therapy that stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms by improving "chi" or energy flow.
- While historically used for centuries, scientific research on acupressure's efficacy and applications in pediatric populations remains limited.
- Its non-invasive and straightforward nature makes acupressure a suitable intervention for children, addressing various health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing research on the use of acupressure in children over a 30-year period.
- To categorize the findings from studies investigating acupressure interventions for pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed, adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual.
- Extensive database searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar, including articles published between 1991 and March 2024.
- A total of 2,924 articles were initially identified, with 76 studies ultimately included after rigorous screening.
Main Results:
- The majority of reviewed studies (72%) originated from Asia, with a significant portion (66%) published in the last decade.
- Randomized controlled trials constituted 59% of the included literature, primarily focusing on school-aged children (7-12 years).
- Commonly targeted acupoints included Neiguan (P6), Zusanli (ST36), and Hegu (LI4), with reported benefits such as reduced nausea, pain, anxiety, and fatigue, alongside improved visual function and growth.
Conclusions:
- Acupressure demonstrates considerable potential as a beneficial complementary intervention for a range of conditions in both healthy and ill children.
- Healthcare providers and nurses are encouraged to consider integrating acupressure into pediatric care plans.
- Further rigorous research is warranted to definitively establish the effectiveness and optimal application of acupressure in pediatric populations.
