Background & Aim: The major problem with mechanically ventilated patients receiving enteral nutrition hospitalized in the intensive care units is delayed gastric emptying. Acupressure can increase gastric motility. This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on the amount of gastric emptying in mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in the intensive care units .

  Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 78 mechanically ventilated patients were recruited using convenience sampling method; and were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. Acupressure was applied on the Neiguan point for four days in the experimental group. The control group patients received no intervention. Gastric residual volume was measured in the admission time and before the gavages. The mean gastric residual volume of the admission time and the 1-4 days after the admission were compared in the two groups. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, Chi-squared test, covariance analysis and repeated measured tests in the SPSS-16. 

  Results: The results revealed that there were no differences between the two groups in the admission time and the first day (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the admission time and 2-4 days after the admission (P<0.05). The difference of mean scores of gastric residual volume were significantly different between the two groups during the four days of post intervention constantly (Repeated measured ANOVA; P=0.011) .

  Conclusion: The acupressure increased the gastric emptying in mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in the intensive care units. Since the acupressure wristband was an easy to use, non-expensive, available procedure, it can be used to improve gastric emptying and prevent delayed gastric emptying complications .