The Effects of Acupressure on Improving Postoperative Gastrointestinal Symptom Distress in Esophageal Cancer Patients

NCT06275165 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 202301754B0
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a quasi-experimental design clinical trial with the primary objective of comparing the health status of patients with esophageal cancer. Participants were divided into an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received routine care and acupressure for 5 consecutive days starting from the day after entering the ward after esophageal cancer surgery, in the control group, participants received routine care, and Participants were assessed on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Distress Scale at the end of the intervention. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of acupressure in improving of gastrointestinal symptoms distress after esophageal cancer surgery.

Conditions

Esophageal Cancer; Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

Keywords

gastrointestinal symptom distress; acupressure

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in gastrointestinal symptom distress Scale at study day 5(end day)

  The Gastrointestinal Symptom Distress Scale is a validated self-report tool that assesses 10 gastrointestinal symptoms that patients with esophageal cancer may face after surgery. The 10-question questionnaire measures the self-perceived severity of nausea, vomiting, satiety, bloating, abdominal cramps, acid reflux, chest tightness, heart burn, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as the degree of interference with life. Using an 11-point Likert scale, 0 points (never happened), 1 point (very slight/very slight interference), 10 points (very severe/extreme interference), and the total score of the scale is 0-100 points. The higher the measured score, the more severe the gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms are and the more they interfere with life. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Distress Scale was subjected to an expert validity review, using the CVI (content validity index) calculation method, and the score was above 0.80.

  Baseline and study day 5

Study Arms (2)

acupressure

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received routine care and acupressure.

Other: acupressure

no intervision

NO INTERVENTION

received routine care

Interventions

acupressure OTHER

In the experimental group, routine nursing care and acupressure (Neiguan and Zusanli points) were performed from the 1st to the 5th day after the postoperative transfer from the ward to the hospital room. Twice a day, 3 minutes each time, 12 minutes in total.

acupressure

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Hospitalized men and women who agree to participate in this study
• Patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer based on pathological tissue section results
• Nutritional support through jejunostomy in post esophagectomy patients
• A sufficient level of education to understand study procedures and be able to communicate with site personnel

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant or lactating women
• Diagnosed and treated for peripheral vascular disease within 3 months prior to surgery.
• Those with unstable vital signs and septicemia infection after surgery.
• Those who are suffering from blood diseases with abnormal coagulation function, or Currently taking anticoagulant drugs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CHEN, CHIA-CHEN: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chang Gung Memotial Hospital

Taoyuan District, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Esophageal Neoplasms

Interventions

Acupressure

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Chia-Chen Chen

  Chang Gung Memorail Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants were divided into an experimental group and a control group. experimental group: received acupressure for 5 days in addition to regular care. control group: received regular postoperative care.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2024
• First Posted: February 23, 2024
• Study Start: March 27, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 18, 2025
• Study Completion: July 18, 2025
• Last Updated: August 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)