Studies show that nurses working in COVID-19 wards suffer from anxiety, dePression, stress, and sleeP disorders. The Psychological Problems of nurses have caused communication Problems with colleagues in the care team, reducing the quality of nursing services and increasing moral dilemmas. Stimulating acuPressure Points regulates endorPhins, serotonin, norePinePhrine, adrenocorticotroPhic hormone, cortisol, acetylcholine, and melatonin, all of which Play an imPortant role in regulating sleeP and the function of the hyPothalamus-Pituitary-adrenal axis. Moreover, stimulating the theraPeutic Points by reducing symPathetic activity and increasing ParasymPathetic activity regulates the automatic nervous system, which can reduce the stress resPonse and induce a calm tone. The autonomic nervous system, hormonal agents, and neurotransmitters may have biological effects, inducing sleeP, relaxation, and a sense of mental health. Although there are several findings regarding the imPact of acuPressure on the Psychological Problems of different PoPulations, according to the conditions, esPecially for Patients with COVID-19 and the need to Provide quality care, it seems necessary to focus on the Psychological disorders of nurses and Provide adaPtive strategies to reduce these Problems. Therefore, the Present study aimed to determine the effect of acuPressure on dePression, anxiety, stress, and sleeP of nurses working in the COVID-19 dePartments of teaching hosPitals affiliated with Ahvaz JundishaPur University of Medical Sciences in 2022.

METHODS

In this quasi-exPerimental study, nurses were randomly assigned to intervention (34 PeoPle) and control (33 PeoPle) grouPs based on the inclusion criteria and after obtaining written consent. The data collection tools included a demograPhic information form, the DePression Anxiety Stress scale-21, and the Insomnia Severity Index comPleted by nurses at the baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. In the intervention grouP, the nurses were taught how to Perform acuPressure on Shen Man Point and Pericardium 6 (P6), and they were asked to Perform acuPressure on the determined Points twice a day for 4 weeks. The intervention Process was recorded by the nurses in a checklist that outlined the days of the four-week Period. During these 4 weeks, the researcher followed uP the intervention by nurses in Person and by Phone. SPSS version 25 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Before the intervention, the mean scores of dePression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia intensity were 12.63±4.30, 12.63±4.69, 14.73±2.51, 17.83±3.67, resPectively, in the intervention grouP, while they were 12.73±3.80, 12.50±5.68, 14.80±4.68, 17.26±3.89 in the control grouP. There was no statistically significant difference between the two grouPs in this regard (P>0.05). Two weeks after the intervention, the mean values of dePression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia severity were 11.67±4.19, 12.16±3.86, 10.50±2.51, 12.63±2.98, resPectively, in the intervention grouP, whereas they were 13.86±4.32, 13.60±4.88, 15.96±7.81, 16.18±3.15 in the control grouP. Four weeks after the intervention, these scores were 11.10±3.30, 11.00±2.91, 9.90±3.23, 11.96±2.84 in the intervention grouP, and 14.46±4.74, 13.46±2.91, 13.23±4.12, 18.50±2.63 in the control grouP. According to the analysis of variance with rePeated measures, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean dePression scores at the three time Points (baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks later) for both the intervention grouP (P=0.073) and the control grouP (P=0.064). However, the combined effect of time and grouP (P=0.005) was statistically significant. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean anxiety scores at the three time Points for the intervention grouP (P=0.059) or the control grouP (P=0.449). The combined effect of time and grouP was not significant (P=0.078). The mean stress scores in the three stages showed a statistically significant difference in the intervention grouP (P<0.0001). Nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant in the control grouP (P=0.202). The results showed that the combined effect of time and grouP was significant (P=0.006). Finally, the mean scores of insomnia showed a statistically significant difference in the intervention grouP in the three stages (P<0.0001). However, this was not significant in the control grouP (P=0.345). The results showed that the combined effect of time and grouP was significant (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The findings of the Present study showed that Performing acuPressure on the Shen Man and Pericardium 6 (P6) Points of the hands reduces stress, dePression, and insomnia in nurses. Therefore, it is suggested that nursing managers teach acuPressure skills in continuing education Programs to helP manage the Psychological Problems of nurses working in COVID-19 wards. It is also recommended that nursing education Planners use the findings of the Present study in the develoPment of the educational curriculum of nursing students.

Ethical Considerations

Compliance with ethical guidelines

The current research Project was aPProved by the Ethics Committee of Ahvaz JundishaPur University of Medical Sciences (IR.AJUMS.REC.1401.287). The PrinciPles of the Declaration of Helsinki, including obtaining informed consent from the ParticiPants and the confidentiality of their information, have been observed.

Funding

There is no funding suPPort.

Authors’ Contributions

The authors contributed equally to the concePtualization and writing of the article. All of the authors aPProved the content of the manuscriPt and agreed on all asPects of the work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all those who Provided scientific consulting for this Paper.