The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Physiological Index, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress for Elders With Hypertension

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure (AA) on physiological index, depression, anxiety, and stress in elderly people with hypertension. The verum group received verum AA therapy for 8 weeks. Five different acupressure sites were applied in each group. There was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the 2 groups after 8 weeks of AA, whereas a significant difference in pulse pressure was found between the 2 groups after 6 weeks of AA. This study is meaningful in comparing intervention and sham groups, verifying the effects by using physiological and psychological variables, and confirming the effects of repetitive measurement. AA therapy is expected to be a practical and efficient health care intervention for elderly people with hypertension.