human
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Background Pruritus is a debilitating aspect of atopic dermatitis ( AD ) .  Acupuncture has been reported to diminish pruritus , but self-administered acupressure has not been previously evaluated . Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on the severity of eczema in a pilot trial . Methods Adult patients with AD were r and omised to an intervention group ( acupressure with st and ard of care ) or a control group ( st and ard of care alone ) . Subjects in the intervention group performed acupressure using a 1.2 mm acupellet at the LI11 point , applying pressure for 3 min three times per week for 4 weeks . The severity of itching and AD at baseline and at 4 weeks were measured on a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , the Investigator 's Global Assessment ( IGA ) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index ( EASI ) . Results Fifteen subjects were enrolled , 12 of whom completed the study between November 2009 and May 2011 . There was no significant change between baseline and follow-up survey scores within the control group . In the investigation group there was a decrease in the VAS score ( p=0.05 ) and EASI lichenification ( p=0.03 ) , although without significant change in the overall EASI score . Comparison of the scores between groups showed a greater decrease in VAS in the experimental group than in the control group ( p=0.04 ) , and a decrease in the IGA ( p=0.03 ) and EASI lichenification score ( p=0.03 ) . The overall EASI scores were unchanged . Conclusion Subjects using acupressure at LI11 for 4 weeks had improvement in pruritus and lichenification . Acupressure may prove to be an easily administered alternative treatment , but larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings Objectives . This prospect i ve , r and omized clinical trial ( RCT ) was design ed to investigate the feasibility and effects of a 4-week auricular point acupressure ( APA ) for chronic low back pain ( CLBP ) . Methods . Participants were r and omized to either true APA ( true acupoints with taped seeds on the design ated ear points for CLBP ) or sham APA ( sham acupoints with taped seeds but on different locations than those design ated for CLBP ) . The duration of treatment was four weeks . Participants were assessed before treatment , weekly during treatment , and 1 month following treatment . Results . Participants in the true APA group who completed the 4-week APA treatment had a 70 % reduction in worst pain intensity , a 75 % reduction in overall pain intensity , and a 42 % improvement in disability due to back pain from baseline assessment . The reductions of worst pain and overall pain intensity in the true APA group were statistically greater than participants in the sham group ( P < 0.01 ) at the completion of a 4-week APA and 1 month followup . Discussion . The preliminary findings of this feasibility study showed a reduction in pain intensity and improvement in physical function suggesting that APA may be a promising treatment for patients with CLBP OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil ( lavender ) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain . DESIGN R and omised controlled trial . SETTING The community centre , Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association , Hong Kong . INTERVENTION 8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a 3-week period . The control group received usual care only . OUTCOME MEASURES Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were assessed in pain intensity ( by Visual Analogue Scale ) and duration ; lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres ; walking time and interference on daily activities . RESULTS The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and control groups were 6.38 ( S.E.M. = 0.22 ) and 5.70 ( S.E.M. = 0.37 ) out of 10 , respectively ( P=0.24 ) . One week after the end of treatment , the intervention group had 39 % greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group ( P=0.0001 ) , improved walking time ( P=0.05 ) and greater lateral spine flexion range ( P=0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief . No adverse effects were reported . To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP , the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP OBJECTIVES This study aims to evaluate the effects of Sanyinjiao ( SP6 ) acupressure in reducing the pain level and menstrual distress  result ing from dysmenorrhea . METHODS Forty participants with dysmenorrhea were assigned to either the acupressure group ( n = 19 ) or the control group ( n = 21 ) . The acupressure group received 20 min of SP6 acupressure during the initial intervention session and was taught to perform the technique for them to do twice a day from the first to third days of their menstrual cycle , 3 months subsequent to the first session . In contrast , the control group was only told to rest . Outcomes were measured through ( 1 ) the Pain Visual Analogue Scale ( PVAS ) , ( 2 ) the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire ( SF-MPQ ) , and ( 3 ) the Short-Form Menstrual Distress Question naire ( SF-MDQ ) . RESULTS There was a statistically significant decrease in pain score for PVAS ( p = 0.003 ) and SF-MPQ ( p = 0.02 ) immediately after the 20 min of SP6 acupressure . In the self-care periods , significant reduction of PVAS ( p = 0.008 ) , SF-MPQ ( p = 0.012 ) , and SF-MDQ ( p = 0.024 ) scores was noted in the third month of post-intervention . CONCLUSIONS SP6 acupressure has an immediate pain-relieving effect for dysmenorrhea . Moreover , acupressure applied to the SP6 acupoint for 3 consecutive months was effective in relieving both the pain and menstrual distress level result ing from dysmenorrhea AIM This paper presents the findings of a study that assessed the effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls . BACKGROUND Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological disorder among adolescents . Traditional Chinese acupressure derived from acupuncture is a non-invasive technique . Despite renewed interest in the use of acupressure , relatively few studies have been undertaken to examine its effects on primary dysmenorrhoea . METHODS An experimental study was conducted between December 2000 and August 2001 . Participants were female students attending a technical college in Taiwan . None of the 69 participants had a prior history of gynaecological disease or secondary dysmenorrhoea , and all were rated higher than five for pain on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 . The experimental group ( n = 35 ) received acupressure at Sanyinjiao ( above the ankle ) while the control group ( n = 34 ) rested for 20 min , while the control group underwent rest in the school health centre for 20 min without receiving acupressure .  Fifty participants ( 30 experimental , 20 control ) completed the 4 - 6-week follow-up session . Five instruments were used to collect pretest and post-test data at each session : ( 1 ) Visual Analogue Scale for pain ; ( 2 ) the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire ; ( 3 ) the Menstrual Distress Question naire ; ( 4 ) the Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety ; and , for the experimental group only , ( 5 ) the Acupressure Self- Assessment Form . Data were analysed using the chi-square test , two- sample t-test and repeated measures two-way anova . RESULTS Acupressure at Sanyinjiao during the initial session reduced the pain and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea . In the self-treatment follow-up session , acupressure at Sanyinjiao significantly reduced menstrual pain but not anxiety . Thirty-one ( 87 % ) of the 35 experimental participants reported that acupressure was helpful , and 33 ( 94 % ) were satisfied with acupressure in terms of its providing pain relief and psychological support during dysmenorrhoea . CONCLUSION The findings suggest that acupressure at Sanyinjiao can be an effective , cost-free intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during dysmenorrhoea , and we recommend its use for self-care of primary dysmenorrhoea PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of ST-36 ( Zusanli ) acupressure on recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in patients with colorectal cancer . DESIGN A longitudinal , r and omized , controlled trial design . SETTING An urban medical center in Taiwan . SAMPLE 60 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone abdominal surgery . METHODS Patients were r and omly assigned to two groups , the ST-36 acupressure group ( n = 30 ) and a sham acupressure group ( n = 30 ) . Patients in the ST-36 group received an acupressure procedure in a three-minute cycle performed three times per day during the five days after surgery . Patients in the control group received routine postoperative care and sham acupressure . Generalized estimating equations ( GEEs ) were used to gauge longitudinal effects of the two groups of patients . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Frequency of bowel sounds , the time to first flatus passage , first liquid intake , solid intake , and defecation . FINDINGS Patients who received acupressure had significantly earlier flatus passage and time to liquid intake as compared to patients in the control group . Other main variables , including the first time to solid intake and defecation , did not show significant difference between the two groups . The GEE method revealed that all patients had increasing bowel sounds over time , and the experimental group had greater improvement of bowel motility than the control group within the period of 2 - 3 days postoperatively . CONCLUSIONS ST-36 acupressure was able to shorten the time to first flatus passage , oral liquid intake , and improve gastrointestinal function in patients after abdominal surgery . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING ST-36 acupressure can be integrated into postoperative adjunct nursing care to assist patients ' postoperative gastrointestinal function . KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION Few studies have explored the effectiveness of acupressure techniques on promoting bowel sounds . Evidence from this study suggests stimulation of the ST-36 acupressure point can increase bowel sound frequency for patients with colorectal cancer in the first three days after surgery . Application of this technique may improve a patient 's comfort after surgery BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) suffer from dyspnoea in their daily life and this may be increased by anxiety . Acupressure may promote relaxation and relieve dyspnoea . Thus , it is appropriate to explore the effectiveness of acupressure on dyspnoea in patients with COPD . AIMS To compare outcomes of acupressure using sham acupoints on different meridians and ganglionic sections with that using true acupoints , in patients with COPD who are living at home . METHODS Patients diagnosed with COPD were selected from a medical centre and three regional hospitals in Taipei . A r and omized block experimental design was used . Using age , sex , pulmonary function , smoking , and steroid use as matching factors , 44 patients were r and omly assigned either to a true acupoint acupressure or a sham group . The true acupoint acupressure group received a programme to decrease dyspnoea . Those in the sham group received acupressure using sham pressure points . Both acupressure programmes consisted of five sessions per week lasting 16 minutes per session , extending over 4 weeks for a total of 20 sessions . Before acupressure was initiated and at the conclusion of the 20th session , the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnoea Question naire-modified scale and the Spielberger State Anxiety scale were administered , and a 6-minute walking distance test was performed . Physiological indicators of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured before and after every session . RESULTS The results of this study showed that the pulmonary function and dyspnoea scores , 6-minute walking distance measurements , state anxiety scale scores , and physiological indicators of the true acupoint acupressure group improved significantly compared with those of the sham group . CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention to improve dyspnoea in patients with COPD BACKGROUND Acupressure is a therapy in which gentle pressure is applied with fingers at specific acupoints on the body . It is reported to relieve pain and have other beneficial effects . This study was design ed to ascertain the value of self-administered acupressure as an adjunct to a pulmonary rehabilitation program ( PRP ) for relief of dyspnea and other symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . METHODS A single-blind pretest-posttest , cross-over design was used . Thirty-one new patients beginning a 12-week PRP at two private hosp 
    Output:
    
agent
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Background Pruritus is a debilitating aspect of atopic dermatitis ( AD ) .  Acupuncture has been reported to diminish pruritus , but self-administered acupressure has not been previously evaluated . Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on the severity of eczema in a pilot trial . Methods Adult patients with AD were r and omised to an intervention group ( acupressure with st and ard of care ) or a control group ( st and ard of care alone ) . Subjects in the intervention group performed acupressure using a 1.2 mm acupellet at the LI11 point , applying pressure for 3 min three times per week for 4 weeks . The severity of itching and AD at baseline and at 4 weeks were measured on a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , the Investigator 's Global Assessment ( IGA ) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index ( EASI ) . Results Fifteen subjects were enrolled , 12 of whom completed the study between November 2009 and May 2011 . There was no significant change between baseline and follow-up survey scores within the control group . In the investigation group there was a decrease in the VAS score ( p=0.05 ) and EASI lichenification ( p=0.03 ) , although without significant change in the overall EASI score . Comparison of the scores between groups showed a greater decrease in VAS in the experimental group than in the control group ( p=0.04 ) , and a decrease in the IGA ( p=0.03 ) and EASI lichenification score ( p=0.03 ) . The overall EASI scores were unchanged . Conclusion Subjects using acupressure at LI11 for 4 weeks had improvement in pruritus and lichenification . Acupressure may prove to be an easily administered alternative treatment , but larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings Objectives . This prospect i ve , r and omized clinical trial ( RCT ) was design ed to investigate the feasibility and effects of a 4-week auricular point acupressure ( APA ) for chronic low back pain ( CLBP ) . Methods . Participants were r and omized to either true APA ( true acupoints with taped seeds on the design ated ear points for CLBP ) or sham APA ( sham acupoints with taped seeds but on different locations than those design ated for CLBP ) . The duration of treatment was four weeks . Participants were assessed before treatment , weekly during treatment , and 1 month following treatment . Results . Participants in the true APA group who completed the 4-week APA treatment had a 70 % reduction in worst pain intensity , a 75 % reduction in overall pain intensity , and a 42 % improvement in disability due to back pain from baseline assessment . The reductions of worst pain and overall pain intensity in the true APA group were statistically greater than participants in the sham group ( P < 0.01 ) at the completion of a 4-week APA and 1 month followup . Discussion . The preliminary findings of this feasibility study showed a reduction in pain intensity and improvement in physical function suggesting that APA may be a promising treatment for patients with CLBP OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil ( lavender ) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain . DESIGN R and omised controlled trial . SETTING The community centre , Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association , Hong Kong . INTERVENTION 8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a 3-week period . The control group received usual care only . OUTCOME MEASURES Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were assessed in pain intensity ( by Visual Analogue Scale ) and duration ; lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres ; walking time and interference on daily activities . RESULTS The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and control groups were 6.38 ( S.E.M. = 0.22 ) and 5.70 ( S.E.M. = 0.37 ) out of 10 , respectively ( P=0.24 ) . One week after the end of treatment , the intervention group had 39 % greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group ( P=0.0001 ) , improved walking time ( P=0.05 ) and greater lateral spine flexion range ( P=0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief . No adverse effects were reported . To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP , the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP OBJECTIVES This study aims to evaluate the effects of Sanyinjiao ( SP6 ) acupressure in reducing the pain level and menstrual distress  result ing from dysmenorrhea . METHODS Forty participants with dysmenorrhea were assigned to either the acupressure group ( n = 19 ) or the control group ( n = 21 ) . The acupressure group received 20 min of SP6 acupressure during the initial intervention session and was taught to perform the technique for them to do twice a day from the first to third days of their menstrual cycle , 3 months subsequent to the first session . In contrast , the control group was only told to rest . Outcomes were measured through ( 1 ) the Pain Visual Analogue Scale ( PVAS ) , ( 2 ) the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire ( SF-MPQ ) , and ( 3 ) the Short-Form Menstrual Distress Question naire ( SF-MDQ ) . RESULTS There was a statistically significant decrease in pain score for PVAS ( p = 0.003 ) and SF-MPQ ( p = 0.02 ) immediately after the 20 min of SP6 acupressure . In the self-care periods , significant reduction of PVAS ( p = 0.008 ) , SF-MPQ ( p = 0.012 ) , and SF-MDQ ( p = 0.024 ) scores was noted in the third month of post-intervention . CONCLUSIONS SP6 acupressure has an immediate pain-relieving effect for dysmenorrhea . Moreover , acupressure applied to the SP6 acupoint for 3 consecutive months was effective in relieving both the pain and menstrual distress level result ing from dysmenorrhea AIM This paper presents the findings of a study that assessed the effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls . BACKGROUND Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological disorder among adolescents . Traditional Chinese acupressure derived from acupuncture is a non-invasive technique . Despite renewed interest in the use of acupressure , relatively few studies have been undertaken to examine its effects on primary dysmenorrhoea . METHODS An experimental study was conducted between December 2000 and August 2001 . Participants were female students attending a technical college in Taiwan . None of the 69 participants had a prior history of gynaecological disease or secondary dysmenorrhoea , and all were rated higher than five for pain on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 . The experimental group ( n = 35 ) received acupressure at Sanyinjiao ( above the ankle ) while the control group ( n = 34 ) rested for 20 min , while the control group underwent rest in the school health centre for 20 min without receiving acupressure .  Fifty participants ( 30 experimental , 20 control ) completed the 4 - 6-week follow-up session . Five instruments were used to collect pretest and post-test data at each session : ( 1 ) Visual Analogue Scale for pain ; ( 2 ) the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire ; ( 3 ) the Menstrual Distress Question naire ; ( 4 ) the Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety ; and , for the experimental group only , ( 5 ) the Acupressure Self- Assessment Form . Data were analysed using the chi-square test , two- sample t-test and repeated measures two-way anova . RESULTS Acupressure at Sanyinjiao during the initial session reduced the pain and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea . In the self-treatment follow-up session , acupressure at Sanyinjiao significantly reduced menstrual pain but not anxiety . Thirty-one ( 87 % ) of the 35 experimental participants reported that acupressure was helpful , and 33 ( 94 % ) were satisfied with acupressure in terms of its providing pain relief and psychological support during dysmenorrhoea . CONCLUSION The findings suggest that acupressure at Sanyinjiao can be an effective , cost-free intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during dysmenorrhoea , and we recommend its use for self-care of primary dysmenorrhoea PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of ST-36 ( Zusanli ) acupressure on recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in patients with colorectal cancer . DESIGN A longitudinal , r and omized , controlled trial design . SETTING An urban medical center in Taiwan . SAMPLE 60 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone abdominal surgery . METHODS Patients were r and omly assigned to two groups , the ST-36 acupressure group ( n = 30 ) and a sham acupressure group ( n = 30 ) . Patients in the ST-36 group received an acupressure procedure in a three-minute cycle performed three times per day during the five days after surgery . Patients in the control group received routine postoperative care and sham acupressure . Generalized estimating equations ( GEEs ) were used to gauge longitudinal effects of the two groups of patients . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Frequency of bowel sounds , the time to first flatus passage , first liquid intake , solid intake , and defecation . FINDINGS Patients who received acupressure had significantly earlier flatus passage and time to liquid intake as compared to patients in the control group . Other main variables , including the first time to solid intake and defecation , did not show significant difference between the two groups . The GEE method revealed that all patients had increasing bowel sounds over time , and the experimental group had greater improvement of bowel motility than the control group within the period of 2 - 3 days postoperatively . CONCLUSIONS ST-36 acupressure was able to shorten the time to first flatus passage , oral liquid intake , and improve gastrointestinal function in patients after abdominal surgery . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING ST-36 acupressure can be integrated into postoperative adjunct nursing care to assist patients ' postoperative gastrointestinal function . KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION Few studies have explored the effectiveness of acupressure techniques on promoting bowel sounds . Evidence from this study suggests stimulation of the ST-36 acupressure point can increase bowel sound frequency for patients with colorectal cancer in the first three days after surgery . Application of this technique may improve a patient 's comfort after surgery BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) suffer from dyspnoea in their daily life and this may be increased by anxiety . Acupressure may promote relaxation and relieve dyspnoea . Thus , it is appropriate to explore the effectiveness of acupressure on dyspnoea in patients with COPD . AIMS To compare outcomes of acupressure using sham acupoints on different meridians and ganglionic sections with that using true acupoints , in patients with COPD who are living at home . METHODS Patients diagnosed with COPD were selected from a medical centre and three regional hospitals in Taipei . A r and omized block experimental design was used . Using age , sex , pulmonary function , smoking , and steroid use as matching factors , 44 patients were r and omly assigned either to a true acupoint acupressure or a sham group . The true acupoint acupressure group received a programme to decrease dyspnoea . Those in the sham group received acupressure using sham pressure points . Both acupressure programmes consisted of five sessions per week lasting 16 minutes per session , extending over 4 weeks for a total of 20 sessions . Before acupressure was initiated and at the conclusion of the 20th session , the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnoea Question naire-modified scale and the Spielberger State Anxiety scale were administered , and a 6-minute walking distance test was performed . Physiological indicators of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured before and after every session . RESULTS The results of this study showed that the pulmonary function and dyspnoea scores , 6-minute walking distance measurements , state anxiety scale scores , and physiological indicators of the true acupoint acupressure group improved significantly compared with those of the sham group . CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention to improve dyspnoea in patients with COPD BACKGROUND Acupressure is a therapy in which gentle pressure is applied with fingers at specific acupoints on the body . It is reported to relieve pain and have other beneficial effects . This study was design ed to ascertain the value of self-administered acupressure as an adjunct to a pulmonary rehabilitation program ( PRP ) for relief of dyspnea and other symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . METHODS A single-blind pretest-posttest , cross-over design was used . Thirty-one new patients beginning a 12-week PRP at two private hosp 
    Output:
    