Auricular Acupressure for Hemodialysis Patients With Insomnia

Auricular acupressure, is a therapeutic method in which specific acupoints on the ear are stimulated to treat various disorders of the body. This practice is based on the theory that there are specific points on the auricle which correspond to major organs or systems of the body; and therapeutic effect on the corresponding target organ or system can be exerted by manipulating auricular acupoints. Auricular acupressure applies stimulation through pressure on specific acupoints by the imbedded beads, usually Semen Vaccaria (Wang Bu Liu Xing) or stainless steel beads. This therapeutic method is non-invasive and can be self-manipulated by the recipients at times required.

The intervention is the same as that in the experimental group only when the points are five Helix points (HX 5-9). These points are clearly remote from the inner ear area and have no evidence for insomnia treatment.