The Effects of an App-based Acupressure on Alleviating Fatigue, Pruritus, and Sleep Quality Among Hemodialysis Patients

NCT07259369 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 025-462/DD-YTCC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an app-based self-guided acupressure intervention in alleviating fatigue and pruritus, and in improving sleep quality among hemodialysis patients. Design and subjects: The parallel randomized controlled trial will be employed in one hospital. Block randomization in a 1:1 ratio will be used to assign the patients to the intervention and control groups. It is estimated that 50 to 100 participants receiving hemodialysis will be recruited. Instrument: The demographic and health-related information questionnaire, the Post-dialysis Fatigue (PDF), 5-D Itch, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used in this study. Interventions: The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive usual care and no other intervention. Data analysis: Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis approaches will be performed. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis will be used to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to assess the impact of missing data on the treatment effect if necessary. Expected outcomes: Participants in the intervention group will know how to do the self-guided acupressure by themselves. If the intervention is effective, the App can be introduced to the hemodialysis patients who need it.

Conditions

Hemodialysis Patient; Fatigue

Keywords

chronic kidney disease; fatigue; App; pruritus; self-acupressure; sleep quality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Fatigue

  Fatigue will be measured by Post-dialysis fatigue (PDF) scale. This scale comprises 13 self-reported items rated on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (not at all). The score will be reversed for analysis, and the total score is between 13 and 65, with higher scores indicating more severe fatigue.

  Fatigue will be assessed at the same time points for both groups (baseline (T1), 2 weeks during intervention (T2), immediately after the intervention (T3), 4 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T4), and 8 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T5)).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pruritus

  Pruritus will be assessed at the same time points for both groups (baseline (T1), 2 weeks during intervention (T2), immediately after the intervention (T3), 4 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T4), and 8 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T5))

• Sleep quality

  Outcome will be assessed at the same time points for both groups (baseline (T1), 2 weeks during intervention (T2), immediately after the intervention (T3), 4 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T4), and 8 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T5)).

Study Arms (2)

App-based acupressure Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks.

Device: app-based acupressure

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will receive usual care and no other intervention. After completing the 12-week study, they will be granted free access to the application.

Interventions

app-based acupressure DEVICE

The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks. The app is structured into two main modules: Introduction and Practice. The Introduction section provides basic information about acupressure, including its definition, health benefits, and important safety considerations. This content is delivered through text, photos, and video to support different learning preferences.

App-based acupressure Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• years old or over
• are able to speak and understand Vietnamese,
• receive hemodialysis at least three times a week for three months or longer
• have a score equal to or greater than 4 on a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0-10)
• has a smartphone or tablet

You may not qualify if:

• advanced cancer
• cognitive impairment
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• severe edema
• have already used or plan to use acupressure or acupuncture in the following 3 months
• have soft tissue or vascular disease in their lower extremities

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Taipei Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hoe Nhai General Hospital

Hanoi, Hong Ha, 100000, Vietnam

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Alzheimer Disease; Pruritus; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Renal Insufficiency; Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin Manifestations; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Posted: December 2, 2025
• Study Start: December 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: December 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

VN (1)