Acupressure at SP6 for 20 min applied by researcher
Light touch at SP6 for 20 min applied by researcher
Dysmenorrhea severity measured using VAS before and immediately, 30 min, and 1, 2, and 3 h after treatment
There were significant differences in VAS scores between the acupressure and control groups immediately, 1, 2, and 3 h after intervention (3.50 versus 5.06, 3.30 versus 4.86, 2.40 versus 5.00, and 1.66 versus 4.80, resp., all )
Acupressure at SP6 for 30 min applied by researcher during the first 24 h of menstrual cycle for 2 cycles
Acupressure at a nonacupoint 30 min applied by the researcher during the first 24 h of menstrual cycle for 2 cycles
Dysmenorrhea severity assessed by VAS before and immediately, 30 min, and 1, 2, and 3 h after intervention
For the first cycle, there were significant differences in VAS scores between the acupressure and control groups 30 min, 1, 2, and 3 h after intervention (4.90 versus 6.06, 4.38 versus 6.23, 4.55 versus 6.34, and 5.34 versus 6.81, resp., all ). For the second cycle, there were significant differences in VAS scores between the acupressure and control groups immediately, 30 min, 1, 2, and 3 h after intervention (5 versus 6.16, 4.86 versus 6.04, 4.72 versus 6.04, 4.72 versus 6.04, 4.60 versus 6.58, and 5.67 versus 7.06, resp., all )
Acupressure at SP6 for 20 min applied by researcher at initial intervention 20 min acupressure self-treatment upon waking and at bedtime during the first 3 days of the next 3 menstrual cycles
Rest for 20 min at initial intervention 20 min rest upon waking and at bedtime during the first 3 days of the next 3 menstrual cycles
Dysmenorrhea severity assessed immediately after first treatment and after 3 months using VAS, SF-MPQ, and SF-MDQ
There were significant differences in VAS scores and SF-MPQ between the acupressure and control groups immediately after initial intervention (VAS: 4.11 versus 5.81, ; SF-MPQ: 5.26 versus 7.38, ) There were significant differences in VAS scores of SF-MPQ and SF-MDQ between the acupressure and control groups after 3 months of self-care (VAS: 2.79 versus 4.30, ; SF-MPQ: 3.53 versus 5.81, ; SF-MDQ: 23.96 versus 26.61, )
Acupressure at SP6 for 20 min applied by researcher at initial intervention 20 min acupressure self-treatment during next menstrual cycle
Rest for 20 min at initial intervention 20 min rest during next menstrual cycle
Dysmenorrhea severity assessed using VAS for pain and VAS for anxiety
There were differences in VAS pain and anxiety scores between the acupressure and control groups after the initial intervention (pain: 3.88 versus 4.79; anxiety: 3.13 versus 3.74) There were differences in VAS pain scores between the acupressure and control groups after self-treatment (2.92 versus 3.04)
