The effect of acupressure at the Sp6 and Liv3 points on improving women’s sexual function and quality of sexual life: a randomized controlled trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. in Midwifery, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Ph.D. of Public Health, Munich Ludwig Maximilian University of Medical Sciences, Munich, Germany.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

5 Instructor, Department of Health Services Management, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2024.80402.6113

Abstract

Introduction: There are various approaches to improving sexual function and quality of sexual life of women, but there are few studies on complementary medicine. The present study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of acupressure on Sp6 and Liv3 points on improving sexual function and the quality of sexual life of women.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study conducted in 2019, 126 eligible women referring to the selected health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were included. Acupressure was performed for 8 weeks. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Female Sexual Quality of Life questionnaire (SQOL-F). The outcome variables were evaluated before, immediately, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was done by SPSS software (version 25) and paired t-test, chi-square test, and repeated measurement. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results of the analysis of variance test with repeated measurements showed that immediately and 4 weeks after the intervention, the mean score of the total sexual function and its dimensions other than pain during intercourse had a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The mean score of the total quality of sexual life and its dimensions did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.303).
Conclusion: The results show the effectiveness of acupressure at two points Sp6 and Liv3 on women's sexual performance. It is suggested to conduct more studies to develop the generalizability of the results.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 10
December 2024
Pages 17-28

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