Acupressure to Alter Alertness among 1st Year UST-FMS Batch 2011-2015 in the Classroom: A Single- Blinded, Randomized control

Study

Investigators: De Leon, Katrina De Los Santos, Michelle de Vera, Ramon Antonio Debuque, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Julius Billie

AY 2011-2012

CHAPTER I BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY INTRODUCTION Alertness plays a major role in learning. A number of factors affect the alertness of individuals such as stress, fatigue, environmental distractions, personal issues and length of sleep to name a few. Sleep deprivation has been known to impact performance on neurobehavioral and work related tasks, mood, learning abilities, and increases risk for error. Students, especially in the area of medical education are commonly exposed to these factors. These medical students are put under a great deal of stress and workload, which calls for the use of different strategies to increase alertness and wakefulness through pharmacological and non-pharmacological means. Although there are a number of studies that show the detrimental effects of decreased alertness, only a few studies deal on interventions in enhancing or regaining alertness. Existing studies have shown that acupressure improves quality of sleep and decreases fatigue. In a study by Sun et al, acupressure on a regular basis improves insomnia in residents of longterm care facilities. Acupressure on the HT7 point may improve insomnia for up to 2 weeks after the intervention. Similar results were seen in a the study of Tsay et al were results prove significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group in subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep sufficiency of patients with end stage renal disease. To present, no significant studies on acupressure or acupuncture treatment that aid in altering alertness are available except for a study on acupressure at stimulation and relaxation points that has shown differential effects on alertness in a classroom setting by Harris et al, on which this study will be based. Generally, the principle behind acupressure is to balance and harmonize a persons two conflicting energies, Yin and Yang, to preserve health. Moreover, TCM explains there are channels of energy running through the body. This energy facilitated bodily functions enhancing blood flow and nourishing tissues. Any impediments in these energy flows can cause disturbances which may lead to illness (Lee et al., 2004). It is said, that there are certain points in our body in which Qi or vital force flows. By manipulating these points or meridians, it is believed that it will bring harmony and balance to the system. One way of manipulating the flow of qi to the meridians is by acupressure, applying constant pressure on certain anatomic points. Acupressure is a noninvasive technique that returns the levels of vital energy of the body, qi. This principle will serve as the researchers basis for the probable positive effect of acupressure on the alertness of their subjects. Utilizing the same anatomical points used in the study of Haris et al., the stimulatory points are Si Shen Chong and bilateralLI 4, St 36, K 1, and UB 10. These points were chosen based on their ability to reduce fatigue and sleepiness in Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory. The relaxation points were selected based on treatment of insomnia in TCM theory and contained Yin Tang and bilateral Anmian, Ht 7, Liv 3, Sp 6. The researchers chose acupressure because it is a simple and relatively safe intervention which has numerous benefits for the body. This may also urge local researchers who are interested in complementary and alternative medicine to undergo more in-depth studies on acupressure to strengthen its claim on the many benefits it holds for the human body, and may eventually make its way to mainstream practice here in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES General objective - To determine the effect of two different acupressure treatments stimulatory versus relaxation- on alertness of students in a full day classroom setting Specific objective - To determine which of the two acupressure treatments will have a greater effect on alertness of students based on post test scores - To determine which acupressure points, stimulatory or relaxation, would have effects on mental performance

STATEMENT OF NEED

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the mean alertness scores of group I Acupressure on Stimulatory

points a. Pre- test : 30 minutes before the lecture

b. Post-test: right after the lecture 2. What are the mean alertness scores of group II Acupressure on Relaxation

points a. Pre- test : 30 minutes before the lecture

b. Post-test: right after the lecture

3. What are the mean scores from the mental exam

a. Pre- test : 30 minutes before the lecture b. Post-test: right after the lecture *** mitch hanap ka ng mental performance exam. Ung madali lang administer

4. Is there a significant difference between the scores of the pre-test of Stimulatory

group I and Relaxation group II

5. Is there a significant difference between the scores of the post-test of Stimulatory

group I and Relaxation group II

6. Is there a significant difference between the scores of the pre-test and post-test

for Stimulatory group I and Relaxation group II

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Imbalanced Energy Flow of Qi

Stimulatory Acupressure

Relaxation Acupressure

Balanced Energy Flow of Qi

Stimulation of neuro-endocrine pathway

Increased alertness Increased mental performance

HYPOTHESES - There is a significant difference in the pre and post test scores for the level of alertness using both stimulatory and relaxation points Stimulatory points have a greater effect on increasing alertness and mental performance in students who have a full day of class

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY STUDY DESIGN SAMPLING DESIGN PROCEDURE AND INSTRUMENTATION

Population: UST FMS 1st year students AY 2011-2012 Exposure: Acupressure on stimulatory Intervention Outcome: Increase level of alertness in the classroom setting Research Design: Single blind, Randomized controlled trial

Bibliography:
Effectiveness of acupressure for randomized controlled trial.
Sun JL, Sung MS, Huang MY, Cheng GC, Lin CC.

residents

of long-term

care

facilities with insomnia: a

Tsay SL, Chen ML. Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end-stage renal diseasea randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Studies 2003;40:17.