A Comparison of the Effects of Self-Acupressure and Aerobic Exercises on Sleep Disorders of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer type, with more than half of the afflicted women suffering from sleep disorders and fatigue, as common complications of the treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupressure and aerobic exercises on such women's sleep disorders.This study was carried out on 99 women affected by breast cancer. Participants were divided to acupressure, exercise, and control groups. The acupressure group received the treatment 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The exercise group participated in aerobic exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group received routine care in the oncology clinic. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburg sleep quality index.The overall score of sleep quality scale in the acupressure and exercise groups was significantly less than that in the control group at weeks 4 (Medical Doctor: 2.7 with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67 to 1.12) and 8 (MD: 0.07 with 95% CI: -1.21 to 1.03) of intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the acupressure and exercise groups.The results of this study indicated that both acupressure and exercise methods can be effective and safe methods in reducing sleep disorders of breast cancer survivors and neither is superior to the other.