Comparing the effect of acupressure points shenmen (HE7) with a third eye on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Background and Objective: Coronary angiography is one of the most common diagnostic procedures in cardiac patients that can increase the level of anxiety. Anxiety also is a risk factor for cardiac disease. The present study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure at the hearts shenmen (HE-7) and the third eye (Yintang) on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Materials and Method: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients undergoing coronary angiography in one of the hospitals in Rafsanjan in 2015. 135 patients were randomly divided into three groups of 45 people. Two intervention groups received acupressure 30 minutes before angiography for 5 minutes in point's yintang and hearts shenmen and control group received acupressure on false points near the thenar muscles. Anxiety of patients was measured one hour before and 10 minutes after the intervention. Data collection tools were including demographic form and Spielberger's questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS 18 and paired t-tests, independent T-test, and ANOVA.

Results: After intervention the mean score of anxiety in the yintang group was decreased from 70.53±16.3 to 62.06±13.4 and in hearts shenmen group from 67.80±14.9 to 60.46±15.2 (p<0/001). This difference between intervention and control groups was significant (p=0.04).

Conclusion: Acupressure is effective in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography, thus it is recommended as a method for reducing the anxiety before angiography.