An interventional study of Acupressure and Placebo acupressure in Pain, Postoperative, Anxiety and Hemodynamic Instability, sponsored by Mersin University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-04-24.
Sponsored by Mersin University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
When the literature was reviewed, many studies were found in which various non-pharmacologic interventions such as reflexology, music therapy, slow and deep breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and cold application were examined in the control of pain associated with chest tube removal. However, a limited number of studies have examined the effect of acupressure on the control of pain caused by chest tube removal; there are no studies in which LI4, LI11 and HT7 acupressure points were used and anxiety level and hemodynamic variables were examined along with procedural pain. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acupressure on procedural pain, anxiety and hemodynamic variables after chest tube removal after open heart surgery.
Before starting the acupressure/placebo acupressure point application, the area around the area where pressure will be applied for 20-30 seconds will be gently rubbed with the palm of the hand. By gently rubbing the surrounding tissue, tension and tissue sensitivity will be reduced and the tissue will be relaxed by heating, relaxing and preparing the point area. Pressure will be applied to the determined points (LI4, LI11 and HT7 or points 1.5 cm away) with the thumb, index or middle finger manually for 5 seconds to create a depth of 1-1.5 cm, and rest for 2 seconds. Each point will be applied for 2 minutes and the application will last 12 minutes.
When acupressure/plesebo acupressure application is completed, the chest tube will be removed by the physician. Procedural pain level, anxiety level and hemodynamic variables of all patients in the acupressure and placebo acupressure groups will be re-evaluated immediately and 15 minutes after removal of the chest tube.
5,093 studies on the registry are indexed under Pain, Postoperative; 1,140 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 68 is close to the median of 75 across 4,344 interventional studies indexed under Pain, Postoperative.
Browse Pain, Postoperative studies →Mersin University is the lead sponsor of 173 studies on the registry; 48 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
In the acupressure groups the points are LI4, LI11 and HT7.
Other: Acupressure
In the placebo acupressure group the points are 1.5 cm away from LI4, LI11 and HT7 points.
Other: Placebo acupressure
Before starting the acupressure point application, the area around the area where the pressure will be applied for 20-30 seconds will be gently rubbed with the palm of the hand. By gently rubbing the surrounding tissue, tension and tissue sensitivity will be reduced and the tissue will be relaxed by heating, relaxing and preparing the point area. Pressure will be applied to the determined points (LI4, LI11 and HT7) with the thumb, index or middle finger manually for 5 seconds to create a depth of 1-1.5 cm and rest for 2 seconds. Each point will be applied for 2 minutes and the application will last 12 minutes.
Before starting the application to the placebo acupressure point, the area around the area where pressure will be applied for 20-30 seconds will be gently rubbed with the palm of the hand. By gently rubbing the surrounding tissue, tension and tissue sensitivity will be reduced and the tissue will be relaxed by heating, relaxing and preparing the point area. Light pressure will be applied to the determined points (1.5 cm away from LI4, LI11 and HT7 points) with the thumb, index or middle finger. Each point will be applied for 2 minutes and the application will last 12 minutes.
Change from baseline in Pain on the Visual Analog Scale at 15 minutes
The VAS, which is a safe, easily applicable scale tool generally accepted in the literature, consists of a 10 cm long line and subjective descriptive statements at both ends of the scale (0 cm=none and 10 cm=highest degree of presence). The individual marks the appropriate place on the scale on this 10 cm line. The distance from the beginning of the scale to the mark is measured with a ruler and the pain level of the individual is determined numerically in cm.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
Change from baseline in Anxiety on the State Anxiety Inventory at 15 minutes
The total score of the scale is calculated by subtracting the total weighted score of the inverted statements from the total weighted score of the direct statements and adding the number 50, which is the predetermined and unchanging value of the State Anxiety Inventory. A score of 30 and above on this scale indicates moderate anxiety and a score of 45 and above indicates severe anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
Change from baseline in SpO2 at 15 minutes.
Oxygen saturation measured at the specified times will be recorded for the acupressure and placebo acupressure group patients. Hemodynamic variables will be monitored and recorded with a bedside monitor (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo). To ensure data reliability and accuracy, these monitors are calibrated monthly by the biomedical engineering department as per hospital policy.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes.
Change from in respiration rate at 15 minutes.
Respiration rate measured at the specified times will be recorded for the acupressure and placebo acupressure group patients. Hemodynamic variables will be monitored and recorded with a bedside monitor (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo). To ensure data reliability and accuracy, these monitors are calibrated monthly by the biomedical engineering department as per hospital policy.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
Change from in systolic blood pressure at 15 minutes
Systolic blood pressure measured at the specified times will be recorded for the acupressure and placebo acupressure group patients. Hemodynamic variables will be monitored and recorded with a bedside monitor (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo). To ensure data reliability and accuracy, these monitors are calibrated monthly by the biomedical engineering department as per hospital policy.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
Change from in diastolic blood pressure at 15 minutes.
Diastolic blood pressure measured at the specified times will be recorded for the acupressure and placebo acupressure group patients. Hemodynamic variables will be monitored and recorded with a bedside monitor (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo). To ensure data reliability and accuracy, these monitors are calibrated monthly by the biomedical engineering department as per hospital policy.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
Change from in heart rate at 15 minutes.
Heart rate measured at the specified times will be recorded for the acupressure and placebo acupressure group patients. Hemodynamic variables will be monitored and recorded with a bedside monitor (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo). To ensure data reliability and accuracy, these monitors are calibrated monthly by the biomedical engineering department as per hospital policy.
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes
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Mersin University