The Effect of Acupressure Therapy on the Sleep Quality of the Elderly: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disorders are conditions characterized by disturbances in an individual's sleep patterns, encompassing alterations in quality, quantity, or the typical duration of sleep. Several factors contribute to sleep disorders in the elderly, including health status, medication usage, environmental conditions, psychological stress, diet/nutrition, and lifestyle. Insomnia, a common sleep disorder among the elderly, is associated with diminished memory, impaired concentration, and changes in functional performance. The repercussions of sleep disorders in the elderly extend to fatigue, cognitive decline, and an elevated risk of depression. Consequently, there is a pressing need for interventions to enhance sleep quality, with acupressure therapy emerging as a potential solution.

Objective: The primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of acupressure therapy on sleep quality in the elderly.

Method: The research methodology employed in this study involves a comprehensive literature review utilizing prominent research databases such as Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria stipulated for this study encompass articles published within the time frame of 2018 to 2023.

Results: The findings of the literature review identified five articles that satisfied the stipulated inclusion and exclusion criteria. Across the entirety of these articles, a consistent pattern emerged, indicating that acupressure therapy exerts a significant positive effect on enhancing the sleep quality of elderly individuals.

Conclusion: Drawing from the synthesis of literature on the impact of acupressure therapy on sleep quality in the elderly, it is evident that this therapeutic approach holds substantial promise in improving the sleep quality of older individuals. The consistent findings across the selected articles underscore the need for further exploration and application of acupressure therapy as an effective intervention for sleep disorders in the elderly population.