EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPRESSURE THERAPY IN REDUCING PAIN AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Low back pain is a common condition among older adults and significantly affects functional ability and quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupressure therapy have been increasingly explored as complementary approaches for pain management. This study aimed to examine the effect of acupressure therapy on pain intensity and quality of life among elderly individuals with low back pain. A quasi-experimental study with a one group pre-test and post-test design was conducted among elderly participants diagnosed with low back pain. A total of 30 respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Participants were assigned to an intervention group receiving acupressure therapy. The acupressure intervention was given for 15 minutes, 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), while quality of life was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF. Data were analysed using paired and independent t-tests. The results showed a significant reduction in pain levels in the intervention group compared to the control group (0.001 < 0.05). Additionally, quality of life scores significantly improved following the intervention (0.001 < 0.05). In conclusion, acupressure therapy is an effective complementary intervention for reducing pain and improving quality of life among elderly patients with low back pain. This therapy can be considered as part of holistic nursing care to enhance patient outcomes.