Acupressure on Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness of Surgical Nurses: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Tria

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effect of self-administered acupressure on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of surgical nurses

METHODS: The study was conducted in Mersin, Turkey, between March and May 2021. The sample of the randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial consisted of 60 nurses working in the surgical clinics. Surgical nurses in the acupressure (n = 30) and sham acupressure groups practiced self-administration. In the study, the acupressure group (n = 30) applied pressure to the Shen Men (HT7) and Sanjinyiao (SP6) points, and the sham acupressure group (n = 30) applied pressure to the points 1.5 cm around the same
points for an average of 10 minutes three times a week for 4 weeks, 1 hour before going to bed at night.

RESULTS: Both groups had poor sleep quality and high daytime sleepiness before the application, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p > .05). After the application, the acupressure group’s total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score and sleep disturbances sub-dimension score were found to be lower than the sham acupressure group (p < .05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of their Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores (p > .05).

CONCLUSION: The study revealed that acupressure applied on points HT7 and SP6 in surgical nurses increased sleep quality and decreased daytime sleepiness, although not significantly.

Cite this article as: Yanık, T. Ç., & Altun Uğraş, G. (2025). Acupressure on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of surgical nurses: A randomized, single-blind, sham controlled trial. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 33, 0247, doi:10.5152/FNJN.2025.24247.