Effect of Ear Massage on Stress, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Parents of Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Launched by MERSIN UNIVERSITY · Feb 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how self-administered ear massage can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality in parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. The study will compare two groups: one group will practice effective ear massage twice a day for two weeks, while the other group will do a shorter, sham (or pretend) massage. Researchers want to see if the ear massage makes a real difference in how parents feel and sleep compared to the control group.

To participate, parents must have a child with Type 1 diabetes and experience moderate levels of stress or anxiety. They should also be willing to take part in online training for the ear massage technique and have access to the internet. Throughout the trial, participants will receive training and support to help them with the massage practice. At the end of the study, they will fill out questionnaires to share how they felt during the trial. If you're a parent in this situation and think you might benefit from this study, you could be a great fit!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Between February 2025 and July 2025, parents of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, who are registered in the Mersin Diabetics group on WhatsApp (What's up Application), the Type 1 Diabetics association on Instagram, and the community forums and groups of diabetes education nurses and dietitians, will be eligible to participate in the study.
• • Those who are willing to participate in the study and have signed the informed consent form
• • Those who score medium or higher \[stress (10 points or more) or anxiety (8 points or more)\] on the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and prefer to perform ear massage first over immediately receiving psychiatric support
• • Those who have the facilities to participate in online training (internet, phone/tablet/computer, etc.) will be included in the sample.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Between February 2025 and July 2025, parents of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, who are registered in the Mersin Diabetics group on WhatsApp (What's up Application), the Type 1 Diabetics association on Instagram, and the community forums and groups of diabetes education nurses and dietitians, will be eligible to participate in the study.
• • Those who are not willing to participate in the study
• • Those with a psychiatric diagnosis made by a doctor
• • Those who score medium or higher \[stress (10 points or more) or anxiety (8 points or more)\] on the DASS-21 scale, but prefer to receive psychiatric support first over ear massage after immediately receiving psychiatric support
• • Those receiving regular professional psychological support
• • Those taking antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or sleeping pills
• • Pregnant women or those suspected of being pregnant
• • Those with auricular aplasia or hypoplasia
• • Those with active infection or disruption of skin integrity in the ear area (ulcer, eczema, urticaria, surgical incision, etc.)
• • Those with visual, hearing, or speech impairments
• • Those receiving regular complementary or alternative treatments for stress, anxiety, and sleep (acupuncture, facial massage, phytotherapy, meditation, breathing exercises, etc.) will not be included in the sample.