Cerrone, R., Giani, L., Galbiati, B., Messina, G., Casiraghi, M., Proserpio, E., . . . Gardani, G. (2008). Efficacy of HT 7 point acupressure stimulation in the treatment of insomnia in cancer patients and in patients suffering from disorders other than cancer. Minerva Medica, 99, 535–537.

To evaluate the efficacy of HT 7 point acupressure for the treatment of insomnia in patients with cancer as compared to patients with medical illnesses other than cancer.

Patients were included if they reported sleeping disorders lasting at least three months, lacked response to benzodiazepine drugs, reported no chronic pain, and had no current drug therapy inhibiting the induction of sleep. Acupressure devices (H7 insomnia control, Consultream s.as., Como, Italy) were applied to both wrists starting at 10 pm each night for at least two weeks.

• The sample was comprised of 25 patients (32% male, 68% female).
• Median age was 62 years (range 48–75).
• Cancer diagnoses included breast, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancer.
• Other medical illnesses included anxiety, idiopathic insomnia, and depression.

Not specified

The phase of care was not stated.

The study was a prospective, single-group trial.

• H7 Insomnia Control, Consulteam s.a.s., Como, Italy (intervention instrument)    
• No measure of sleep quality was stated.  
• Duration and pressure of acupressure was not stated.
   

Sleep quality improved in the first 10 days for 15 of 25 patients (60%). A greater number of oncology patients had improvements in sleep quality (79%) than those with other medical illnesses (36%), but this did not represent a statistical difference (no test statistic reported by the authors).

HT 7 improved insomnia in patients with cancer and other medical illnesses.

• The study had a small sample size, with less than 30 patients.
• The study used a convenience sample.
• The description of intervention and measures was inadequate.
• There was no stated measure of sleep quality.
• Chi-square values and other statistical values were not reported by the authors.
• There was no stated control of anxiety or depression in patients with cancer.
• No usual care control group was used.
• There was no stated control of potential confounding factors or medical conditions.
• The article lacked standard components of study reporting.

Further information is needed to accurately draw conclusions regarding the usefulness of acupressure in oncology patients.