Impact of Acupressure on Pain, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact of acupressure on pain perception, functional status, and overall quality of life in individuals afflicted with knee OA.

Methods: The research was executed as an experimental study employing both pre- and post-test assessments, featuring a control group. Ninety participants were divided into 2 groups: acupressure and control. The acupressure intervention was administered twice weekly, once daily, for a duration of 4 weeks, totaling eight sessions. It adhered to the guidelines for acupuncture application as outlined by the researcher, targeting 6 specific acupuncture points. Data were collected both before and after the acupressure sessions, utilizing assessment tools such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Results: The study was conducted with a total of 90 participants, comprising 45 individuals in the acupressure group (comprising 88.9% females, with a mean age of 62.88 ± 9.55 years) and 45 individuals in the control group (also comprising 88.9% females, with a mean age of 58.93 ± 10.19 years). Before the acupressure intervention, the acupressure group exhibited higher scores in pain, stiffness, and physical function compared to the control group. Nevertheless, after the interventions, a noteworthy enhancement was detected in the VAS scores, WOMAC scores, and SF-36 scores within the acupressure group (P < .001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, acupressure was found to reduce pain severity and enhance the functional status and quality of life in patients diagnosed with knee OA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05238350.