The Effect of Acupressure on Chronic Low Back Pain among Operating Rooms Nurses

Abstract

Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal work-related condition among nurses. Acupressure is the type of complementary medicine frequently used today. Acupressure is a technique that involves pressing with a finger to release endorphins, which causes muscle relaxation and pain relief. This study aimed at determining the effect of acupressure on chronic low back pain among nurses working in the operating rooms. Setting: This study was carried out in the operating rooms (OR) of three departments namely OR (A) for colon surgery, OR (B) for oncology& hepatobiliary surgery. Finally OR (C) for head and neck surgery in Alexandria Main University Hospital. Design: a quasi-experimental design was used. Tools: Interviews scheduled to collect socio-demographic and job characteristics, Million visual analog scale (MVAS), and questionnaire were used for the occupational role. Results: a statistically significant difference in pain severity between the study and control group after 6 weeks of acupressure massage (p < 0.001*) was observed. Concerning the post-test mean score of occupational role in the study group was 19.50± 8.22, while in the control group was 52.33 ±7.42, with a highly statistically significant difference between the two groups at p (0.001*). Conclusion: Acupressure is an effective complementary therapy for reducing occupational low back pain in nurses employed in operating rooms as well as improving their occupational function. Recommendation: educational nursing program about effect and technique of acupressure should be conducted.