Acupressure and Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer-Related Fatigue

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. Unlike ordinary tiredness, CRF is persistent, multidimensional, and not fully relieved by rest. It significantly impairs physical functioning, emotional stability, cognitive performance, and overall quality of life. Despite advances in oncology care, effective management of CRF remains challenging, and pharmacological options often provide limited benefit. Consequently, there is increasing interest in complementary and integrative approaches such as acupressure. Acupressure is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that involves applying manual pressure to specific acupoints to regulate physiological balance and stimulate self-healing mechanisms. In the context of cancer-related fatigue, commonly targeted points include ST36 (Zusanli), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), and LI4 (Hegu), which are associated with energy regulation and systemic balance. This study examines the role of acupressure in reducing fatigue severity and improving quality of life among patients with cancer-related fatigue.