Table 1 Acupressure intervention protocol

Acupressure sessions and length of intervention

• 12-min session, three times per week for 4 weeks

• Daytime (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), following the convenient time for study participants

Selection of acupoints

1. Shenmen (HT7) on both hands

2. Neiguan (PC6) on both hands

3. Sanyinjiao (SP6) on both legs

Sequence and time of acupressure application per point

Apply finger pressure for 2 min on each point with the following sequence:

1. PC6 in left hand

2. PC6 in right hand

3. HT7 in left hand

4. HT7 in right hand

5. SP6 on left leg

6. SP6 on right leg

Acupressure technique

• Apply consistent finger or thumb pressure on each point in circular motion

• Circular motion in clockwise for 1 min and counter-clockwise for 1 min

• Intensity of pressure adjusted according to the person’s level of tolerance