The Effect of Acupressure on Fasting Blood Glucose and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels in Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder. Non-pharmacological methodscan be used for treatment of these patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effect ofacupressure point on fasting blood glucose and glycosylated levels of diabetic patients.Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 102 patients who referred to Motahari Clinic ofShiraz during May-June in 2018. The participants were selected based on simple random samplingand divided into three groups via permuted block randomization. The control group only received thepharmacological treatments. The intervention group received acupressure at ST36 point in additionto medications. The placebo group also received medications and acupressure at a fake point. Theintervention was carried out for six minutes (three minutes for each lower extremity), three sessionsa week for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were checked in allpatients immediately after the intervention. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, paired t-test, andANOVA by the SPSS statistical software, version 21, and p Results: The results showed no significant differences among the three groups’ blood glucose meanlevels before (P=0.89) and after the intervention (P=0.36). However, a significant difference wasobserved in the intervention group’s glycosylated hemoglobin mean levels before (8.61±1.96) and afterthe intervention (8.1±1.62) (P=0.02).Conclusion: In sum, the study indicated that acupressure could only be effective in reducing theglycosylated hemoglobin in the intervention group. Thus, further larger studies are recommended toevaluate the effectiveness of this technique.