Abstract

Introduction: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is the progressive and irreversible destruction of renal function in which the body’s ability to maintain metabolism and water and electrolyte balance is eliminated. The present study was conducted as a systematic review aiming to investigate the effect of acupressure on the anxiety of hemodialysis patients. Method: The present study was conducted by searching both English and Persian databases including magiran, SID, Google scholars, and science direct pub med by using keywords such as dialysis, acupressure, and anxiety. In the present study, it was attempted to investigate acupressure and its effect on the anxiety of different patients and hemodialysis patients. Findings: The third liver point (LIV3) is a point the stimulation of which (through acupressure) will result in patients’ reduced anxiety and relived pain. In a study, conducting acupressure on LIV3 point resulted reduced anxiety among women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Conclusion: Various studies have confirmed that several points are effective in reducing the anxiety pf patients by conducting acupressure. These points include P6, GB21, and LIV3 points. Given the high prevalence of anxiety in hemodialysis patients, the abovementioned points can be used for reducing anxiety in these patients. Moreover, it is recommended to conduct some clinical trials on hemodialysis patients and compare the effect acupressure in the effective points for reducing the anxiety of these patients, so that the points having the highest effect in reducing the anxiety of patients are identified. © 2017, Pharmainfo Publications. All rights reserved.