Effects of Acupressure Applied to Intensive Care Patients on Physiological Parameters, Pain, Sleep Quality, Anxiety and Perception of Nursing Presence

Launched by GAZI UNIVERSITY · May 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of acupressure—a method that applies pressure to specific points on the body—on patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The researchers want to see if acupressure can help improve patients' physical health, reduce pain, enhance sleep quality, lower anxiety levels, and increase their feeling of presence from nursing staff. The study will involve 60 patients who will be divided into three groups: one will receive real acupressure, another will receive a placebo treatment that mimics acupressure but has no actual effect, and the third group will not receive any treatment. The trial will take place over two days, with the treatments given in the morning and evening.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be at least 18 years old, have been in intensive care for at least 48 hours, and meet certain health criteria, including having a good level of consciousness and stable vital signs. Patients who have certain medical conditions or treatments that could interfere with the study will not be included. Those who join the trial can expect to receive either acupressure or a placebo treatment while their health responses are monitored to understand the effects of these interventions. This study aims to provide insights that could improve the care and comfort of ICU patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Have received intensive care treatment for at least 48 hours,
• • Are 18 years of age or older,
• • Have a Glasgow Coma Scale score of \>13,
• • Can speak and write in Turkish,
• • Have no psychiatric diagnosis,
• • Have no communication problems,
• • Have a VAS score of ≥1,
• • Have a mean arterial pressure of ≥65,
• • Have SpO2 of ≥85.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have previously received acupressure treatment,
• • Have ulcers, necrotic tissue and signs and symptoms of infection at the points where pressure will be applied,
• • Have used antihypertensives, beta-blockers and similar medications,
• • Have sedation,
• • Have respiratory support from the device,
• • Have inotropic treatment (dopamine, steradin and others),
• • Have analgesic treatment in their routine treatment will not be included in the study.
• • Patients who were discharged during the study,
• • Patients who died during the study,
• • Patients who wanted to leave the study,
• • Patients who started receiving sedation during the application,
• • Patients who added antihypertensive, beta-blocker and similar drugs to their routine treatment during the application,
• • Patients who received inotropic treatment (dopamine, steradin and others) during the application,
• • Patients who started receiving analgesia treatment during the application,
• • Patients who developed ulcers, necrotic tissue and infection at the points where pressure will be applied during the application,
• • Patients who started receiving respiratory support from the device during the application,
• • Patients who had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≤13, mean arterial pressure of ≤65 and SpO2 of ≤85 during the application will be excluded from the study.