The Effect of Acupressure on Hyperbilirubinemia in Newborns: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07409194 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2025/05-14
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted to evaluate the effect of acupressure application on hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. The study examined the effect of regular acupressure applications to specific points on serum bilirubin levels in newborns at risk of developing physiological jaundice in the first days of life. By comparing bilirubin levels between the experimental and control groups, the potential benefits of acupressure in reducing the severity of jaundice and supporting bilirubin metabolism were investigated. The findings suggest that acupressure can be used as a complementary method in neonatal care.

Conditions

Hyperbilirubinemia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Total Serum Bilirubin Level

  Measurement of total serum bilirubin level to evaluate the effect of acupressure on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

  24 hours after birth

Study Arms (2)

Acupressure Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Newborns assigned to the intervention group receive standard acupressure at predetermined acupuncture points (ST36 - Zusanli and KI1 - Yongquan) by a trained practitioner 0 and 12 hours after birth. Each session lasts approximately 4 minutes. Total serum bilirubin levels are measured 24 hours after birth. All newborns continue to receive routine newborn care and feeding according to the unit protocol.

Behavioral: Acupressure

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Newborns assigned to the control group receive routine neonatal care and feeding according to unit protocol without any acupressure intervention. Total serum bilirubin levels are measured at the 24th hour of life.

Interventions

Acupressure BEHAVIORAL

Acupressure intervention

Acupressure Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 38 Weeks - 42 Months
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Gestational age ≥38 weeks
• Diagnosed with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
• Hospitalized in the neonatal unit for at least 24 hours
• Birth weight ≥2500 g
• Written informed consent obtained from parents

You may not qualify if:

• Preterm newborns
• Congenital metabolic disease or congenital anomalies
• Hemodynamically unstable newborns
• Newborns whose parents did not provide consent
• Newborns with any condition preventing acupressure application

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yuzuncu Yil University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Van Yuzuncu Yil University

Van, 65100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hyperbilirubinemia

Interventions

Acupressure

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Veysel CAN, MD, PhD

  Yuzuncu Yil University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2026
• First Posted: February 13, 2026
• Study Start: May 5, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 5, 2026
• Study Completion: May 5, 2026
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)