The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of hand acupuncture therapy on intermittent abdominal pain in children.

A quasi experimental pre-test and post (1,2)-test design was used. Data was collected from May, 2002 to February, 2003. Forty children were assigned to the experimental (20) or control group (20). The experimental group received Hand-Acupuncture therapy on the meridian point; A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, E22, E45 for 20 minutes, while the control group rested on the bed. Data was analyzed using the SAS program with Fisher's Exact χ² test, repeated measured ANOVA, and ANCOVA.

In the experimental group, pain intensity (f=63.26, p=0.00), A12(A)(F=60.40, p=0.00), and medication requirement (χ²=32.63, p=0.00) were significantly lower than that of the control group.

These findings indicate that hand acupuncture therapy is effective for reduction of intermittent abdominal pain. Therefore, hand acupuncture therapy can be considered an independent nursing intervention for reducing intermittent abdominal pain.