The effects of self-administered acupressure on fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and anxiety levels in prediabetic women

Several studies have investigated the effects of acupressure in patients with known diabetes. However, no studies have investigated the effects of acupressure on women with prediabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of self-administered acupressure on fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and anxiety levels in prediabetic women. This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 50 women with prediabetes who referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran, from September 4, 2021, to February 20, 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 to receive either metformin and self-administered acupressure or metformin and sham point pressure. FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety levels were measured in both groups before and 12 weeks after the intervention. All patients also received routine training. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, independent samples t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The two groups did not differ significantly in their mean baseline FBS and HbA1c values. However, the mean baseline anxiety was significantly higher in the control group (P=0.009). After the intervention, the mean FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety were significantly lower in the intervention group (P<0.001). After controlling for the effect of baseline anxiety scores using ANCOVA, we found that the intervention was effective in reducing mean anxiety (P<0.001). Self-administered acupressure reduced FBS, HbA1c, and anxiety levels in prediabetic women. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses and physicians train prediabetic patients to use self-administered acupressure to manage their anxiety and prediabetic symptoms.