The effect of acupressure on polyneuropathy-related pain and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomised controlled trial

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on polyneuropathy-related pain and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Design: A randomized controlled experimental design was employed in the study. Methods: The study sample consisted of 86 patients with type 2 diabetes (44 in the acupressure group and 42 in the control group) who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group received six sessions of acupressure over six consecutive days, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows 22. Results: In the acupressure group, post-test mean scores of the PQAS subscales-Paroxysmal Pain (t=-8.636; p<0.001), Surface Pain (t=-7.649; p<0.001), and Deep Pain (t=-10.349; p<0.001)-significantly decreased compared to the control group. Additionally, the acupressure group demonstrated a significant improvement in post-test PSQI total scores (U=70.000; p<0.001) and sleep quality subscale scores compared to the control group, except for the Sleep Medication Use subscale (U=831.000; p=0.149), which showed no significant difference. Conclusions: Acupressure was found to reduce polyneuropathy-related pain and enhance sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, acupressure may be considered an alternative nursing intervention for individuals with type 2 diabetes.