Effect of Acupressure on Quality of life, Dyspnea, Sleep and Fatigue among Children with Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Background: Acupressure is one of the important non-pharmacological modalities which is effective in enhancing bronchial asthma control. Aim: to evaluate the effect of acupressure on quality of life, dyspnea, sleep, and fatigue among children with bronchial asthma Design: A quasi experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting: the study was carried out at Pediatric Chest Inpatient Unit at Tanta Main University Hospital. Sample: sixty (60) children diagnosed with bronchial asthma aged from 5 to 12 years old. Tools of the study: Tool I: A structured interview schedule to collect patient's socio-demographic and clinical data. Tool II: Health related quality of life that was evaluated by using PROMIS Pediatric Asthma Impact Scale. Tool III: Physical health assessment that was measured by using three scales; Pediatric Dyspnea Scale, PROMIS Pediatric Sleep Disturbance Short Form 4a Scale and PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue Short Form 10a Scale. Results: The results indicated that the asthma had always impact on 60% of studied children's quality of life 25.0% of them suffered from very high trouble of breathing, asthma interfered with sleep in 61.7% of them and also, 43.3% of the children totally fatigued because of asthma before acupressure sessions while children's quality of life, dyspnea, sleep and fatigue were improved 2 and 4 weeks after acupressure sessions. Conclusion: there was a statistically significant improvement in relation to quality of life, dyspnea, sleep and fatigue among studied children at 2 and 4 weeks after acupressure sessions application than before its application. Recommendations: Acupressure should be applied into nursing care for children with bronchial asthma.