The Effects of Acupressure Applied After Bariatric Surgery on Gastrointestinal Functions, Pain, and Anxiety

This study was conducted to determine the effects of acupressure applied to patients after bariatric surgery on gastrointestinal functions, pain, and anxiety.

The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental trial with a placebo group. The research data were collected at the General Surgery Clinic of Private Aktif Kocaeli Hospital between January 2023 and March 2024 from 90 patients (30 in the control group, 30 in the intervention group, and 30 in the placebo group) who underwent bariatric surgery. The "Patient Descriptive Form," "Postoperative Gastrointestinal Functions Assessment Form," "Visual Analog Scale," "Verbal Pain Scale,'' and "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" were used in data collection. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22 package program, and the results were interpreted at a p < 0.05 significance level.

Of the patients in the intervention group, 63.3% flatulated at the 12th postoperative hour, 43.3% passed stool, and there was a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.05); they consumed more food daily (p < 0.05), their pain (3.43 ± 0.97) and distension (3.20 ± 1.06) scores were lower, and more patients (46.7%) experienced mild pain (p < 0.05). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the mean nausea scores of the groups at the 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th postoperative hours, the mean nausea scores of the patients in the intervention group at the 12th postoperative hour (0.33 ± 5.07) were lower than those of the control (1.33 ± 1.83) and placebo groups (1.33 ± 4.34) (p > 0.05). All three groups had similar mean state-trait anxiety scores (p > 0.05).

The study found that acupressure applied after bariatric surgery ensured that patients flatulated and passed stool in the early period, increased food consumption, and reduced abdominal distension and pain. In line with these results, it can be recommended that acupressure be applied in clinics after surgery.