The study was conducted for a period of six weeks among 40 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling to explore the impact of acupressure on nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were gathered using a semi-structured interview schedule, semi-structured questionnaire and Rhodes' index of nausea, vomiting and retching. The research design was a quasi experimental 'post-test only, control group design'. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics involving frequency, percentage, Chi square and independent 't' test. Results of the study showed that the subjects in the experimental group experienced mild (65%) to moderate (35%) nausea and vomiting, whereas the subjects in the control group experienced moderate (35%) to severe (65%) nausea and vomiting, t (38)= 2.693, 8.270, 8.401 respectively for days 1, 2 and 3; p < 0.05). The results point to the fact that acupressure is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting among patients receiving chemotherapy.

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Objective: This was a descriptive study with the objective to determine the sleep disturbances and the quality of sleep among patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods:Quantitative approach with non-experimental descriptive design was used. A semi-structured sleep disturbance questionnaire was used to determine the sleep disturbances, and a standardized Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index tool was used to assess the sleep quality among 100 subjects in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. Results:The study results showed that majority of the subjects (51%) were of the age group between 56 and 65 years, and 71% were male with CVD. Sleep disturbances were present in 80% of the subjects with CVD, among which 56% subjects had mild disturbances, 20% subjects with moderate sleep disturbances, and 4% subjects with severe sleep disturbances. The result also indicated that 48% of subjects had poor sleep quality. Findings also showed a highly statistically significant association between cardiomyopathy and sleep disturbances (p<0.001). Total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol levels were significantly associated with sleep disturbances (p<0.05). There is a highly significant association between sleep disturbances and quality of sleep (p<0.001), indicating that sleep disturbances can be one factor in decreasing the quality of sleep in patients with CVD. Conclusion:The results of the study indicated that sleep disturbances were prevalent in patients with CVD and often hazardous to heart health. As health practitioner and other health-care providers have not focused major attention on the importance of sleep to health, the need for providing information to them and patients regarding the importance of improving the quality of sleep and identifying the sleep disturbances will call for action to bring sleep to the forefront of public health.