Acupressure as an Adjunctive Treatment to Improve Social Interaction Skills in Autistic Toddlers in Jombang Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Acupressure is one of physiotherapy by putting pressure and stimulating acupuncture points (acu points) on the body which aims to stimulate or stimula therapeutic points using the fingers. Baihui point (GV 20) is located on the head, the point of intersection of the median line of the head and the line connecting the apex of the left and right auricles. This point is innervation of the ophthalmic branch n. trigeminal and branch n. occipital. This study was to determine the effect of giving acupressure with 2 fingers tap at the Baihui point on autistic toddlers who do therapy at BundaQu Holistic Care & SPA. This study applied a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. A quantitative approach is applied to determine whether there is a correlation or influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable. this study applied a Single Case Experimental Design with the A-B-Follow up paradigm. Based on statistical tests, the results obtained p value of 0.00 in autistic toddlers who received treatment. It means that there is an effect of pressurizing two fingers 10 times with an interval of 12 times per day on the Baihui point (GV 20). Furthermore, it can also have an effect on the ability of social interaction in the form of eye contact, mastery of emotional control and a decrease in repetitive behavior in toddlers with autism symptoms. In this case, it is necessary to have the parent’s active role, support willingness, motivation and patience in carrying out routine activities.

Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation compared to BL 23 and GV 3 point acupressure therapy in reducing back pain intensity in third trimester pregnant women

“…Stimulation or sedation of target organs will affect changes in biochemistry, physiology and perception/taste. 16 The acupressure mechanism contributes to the stimulation of the pituitary-hypothalamus complex, releasing β-endorphins systemically into the bloodstream from the pituitary gland, resulting in the release of β-endorphins accompanied by the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone. 23 Biochemical changes can occur in the form of increased serotonin and endorphin levels, physiological changes can occur in the form of oxygen activity and blood flow and changes in perception/taste can occur in the form of decreased pain levels.…”

“…7 The study mentions that the prevalence of back pain in third trimester pregnant women was 33.7 %. 8 According to the study, 73.33 % of pregnant women experienced moderate pain, while 16.67 % experienced severe pain and 10 % experienced mild pain. 9 Based on the Indonesian health data profile, 5,298,285 pregnant women were experiencing back pain in Indonesia, in the Central Java province the number was 314,492, in the Semarang City area 53,734 pregnant women experienced back pain.…”

“…7,14 Therapies that can be used to reduce back pain for pregnant women in the third trimester include progressive muscle relaxation, BL 23 and GV 3 acupressure. [15][16][17] Progressive muscle relaxation therapy is carried out by tightening and relaxing the muscles at one time to provide a feeling of physical relaxation. 18,19 Progressive muscle relaxation therapy can also be done by stretching and relaxing each group of muscles at the same time which will produce progressive relaxation of the entire body, as well as calming the mind by stretching for three to five seconds and focusing attention.…”

Effectiveness of Facial Acupressure and Acupuncture on Musculus Facei

“…The results are assessed with a score, namely score 1, there is a change in facial muscle relaxation of 20%; a score of 2 means there is a change in facial muscle relaxation of 40%; A score of 3 means that there has been a change in facial muscle relaxation of 60% (von Arx et al, 2018). The dependent variable was seen in facial acupressure treatment for 20 minutes and facial acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, carried out on the facial muscles in the frontal, maxillary and orbital areas (Donoyama et al, 2012) (Smith et al, 2020) (Spaskova, 2018) (Istiqomah et al, 2022). The research will be carried out in May -June 2023 at the Wijaya Surabaya doctor's practice and polyclinic.…”