RCT: Rhythmic Breathing + Acupressure vs. Vapocoolant Spray for HD Needle Pain

A randomized control trial divided 157 patients into five groups to assess pain relief from hemodialysis needles: controls (n=34), rhythmic breathing (n=24), Hugo point acupressure (n=35), breathing + acupressure (n=37) and vapocoolant spray. The control group had mean score of 64.79 on the Visual Analogue Scale; the highest pain level. With rhythmic breathing, the mean score was 37.79. Those who used Hugo point acupressure had mean scores of 33.14. Rythmic breathing + acupressure resulted in mean scores of 28.35, and vapocoolant spray 25.59. All of the interventions significantly reduced pain compared to the controls.

Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)

Tags: RCT, Rhythmic Breathing, Acupressure, Vapocoolant Spray, Needle Pain