ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Korean hand acupressure on pain and abdominal bloating of patients receiving laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental design using a non-equivalent control group pre-post test. The experimental group and the control group were 39 patients each who were hospitalized at gynecology ward of a hospital located in Gyeonggi-do. The experimental group received Korean hand acupressure therapy on the meridian point: A5, A6, H3, H7, I38 for 48 hours immediately after the surgery. Pain and abdominal bloating were measured at 5 times. Data were analyzed using SPSS/Win 18.0. RESULTS: The experimental group showed lower pain score than the control group (p<.001). While there was no significant difference in abdominal bloating (p=.528), the time effect was significantly different (p<.001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that Korean hand acupressure reduces pain and abdominal bloating of laparoscopic surgery patients.