Acupressure as a Complementary Therapy for Improving Sleep and Reducing Stress

Abstract

Sleep disturbance and psychological stress are closely related problems that can impair concentration, emotional regulation, physical functioning, and quality of life. Complementary approaches that are non-invasive and relatively easy to administer have therefore received increasing research attention. Acupressure involves manual stimulation of selected points and has been investigated for insomnia, poor sleep quality, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms. This paper reviews acupressure as a complementary therapy for improving sleep and reducing stress, focusing on possible mechanisms, sleep outcomes, psychological stress, physiological responses, self-administered approaches, safety, and limitations of current evidence. Recent systematic-review evidence suggests that acupressure can improve subjective sleep quality in adults with insomnia and may also reduce anxiety. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found significant improvements in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores and several objective sleep parameters following acupressure, although substantial heterogeneity was present. Another meta-analysis reported beneficial effects of acupressure on anxiety, while a review of acupressure for stress-related outcomes found promising but variable findings. Overall, acupressure may be a useful adjunct to sleep hygiene, behavioural strategies, and evidence-based clinical care, but it should not replace appropriate assessment and treatment of persistent sleep or mental-health disorders.