Stroke is a medical emergency and 25% of patients experience neurological deterioration 24-48
hours after stroke. After stroke, 15-30% of patients live with permanent sequelae, and 20%
become in need of care. Therefore, the care provided in the acute period (24-72 hours) is
critical in shaping recovery and prognosis. It is possible to prevent neurological and
medical complications with safe and effective stroke care (Boyraz 2015).
There are many factors that affect the occurrence of complications in patients with acute
stroke. The most common of these factors are increased blood pressure, decreased oxygen
saturation, fever, heart rate and respiratory rate physiological parameters. The follow-up
and control of physiological parameters is of vital importance, especially in patients with
acute stroke (Greer et al.2008; Uzuner, Steiner et al.2014; Kutluk and Balkan 2015). In
addition, it is stated that the sudden change in the health status of the individual, the
emergence of anxiety due to the hospitalization process and the inability to perform daily
life activities, the difficulty in adapting to the treatment process, and the disruption of
sleep patterns may be effective in the emergence of complications (Jariani et al 2011).
Despite the symptoms or complications of stroke, it is one of the most important goals of
health care to make patients feel good and help them to continue their daily life activities
(Ovayol and Ovayol 2016). Among the nursing interventions applied to relieve these symptoms
or complications, there are complementary and alternative treatment (CAM) methods (Khorshid
2005; Taşçı 2015). Many of the CAM methods are similar to nursing practices in terms of
focusing on the holistic concept (Taşçı 2015).
In the literature, it is stated that acupressure application, which is among the CAM methods
in stroke patients, is frequently used and is an effective application (Song et al.2015; Shın
and Lee 2007; Kang, Sok, and Kang 2009; Yue, Jiang, and Wong 2012). Acupressure (Shiatsu) is
a massage technique applied with fingers and palms, based on traditional Chinese Medicine,
consisting of the words shi = finger = and atsu = pressure. Acupressure is one of the oldest
healing methods. This method ensures proper functioning of energy channels (such as blood
circulation) by applying pressure to acupuncture points with fingers, palms, tennis balls or
special stimulation tools to activate the self-healing power of the body, regulate energy
flow, and relieve uncomfortable symptoms. The acupressure technique is a noninvasive, safe,
effective method that has no side effects (Song et al.2015; Mucuk and Ceyhan 2015). Although
acupressure application is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), it is
a method that increases the independent functions of the nurse and improves the patient and
nurse interaction (Özkan and Balcı 2018).
As a result of the literature review, it has been proven that acupressure applications are
effective in coping with many symptoms and complications in stroke patients, but there is no
study examining the effect of acupressure application on the control of physiological
parameters, anxiety and sleep quality in patients with acute stroke in the world and in our
country. Considering that acupressure application is a non-invasive, safe and effective
method, it is thought that the application of acupressure in the acute stroke period can
reduce the development rate of complications, increase the quality of healing, reduce the
patient's anxiety and increase the patient's sleep quality, and more evidence-based studies
can be undertaken to defend its effectiveness clearly. is needed.