Combined Acupressure Effects on Post-Thoracotomy Pain and Lung Volume

NCT07411417 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: E-95961207-202.3.02-5421
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pain is a subjective, sensory and emotionally unpleasant experience resulting from real or hidden injuries in tissues. The pain experience is a subjective and unique experience in physiological and psychological terms and is the first negative sensory experience of the patient after the surgical procedure. Thoracotomy is an invasive surgical incision that causes severe postoperative pain due to the negative effect on the ribs, muscles and peripheral nerves. During thoracic surgery, anatomical lung resection is performed through posterolateral thoracotomy. Surgical incision during thoracotomy surgery is the most severe cause of postoperative pain. Epidural analgesia, peripheral nerve block and systematic treatment methods are used in post-thoracotomy pain management. Opioid use is frequently preferred in post-thoracotomy pain management. Although thoracotomy pain can mostly be controlled with opioid analgesics, excessive use of opioids may lead to respiratory suppression, constipation, suppression of cough, nausea, vomiting and many other possible side effects. Ineffective postoperative pain management may lead to postoperative complications such as increased cardiac workload, prolonged pulmonary rehabilitation and delayed wound healing. The use of holistic non-drug pain relief methods is vital in reducing the need for opioid analgesics and the risk of possible side effects in early postoperative pain management.

Conditions

Pain, Acute; Breathing, Mouth; Relaxation; Diaphragm; Cough; Lung Volume

Keywords

Thoracotomy after Pain; Acupressure; Pain; Lung Volume

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain after thoracotomy

  Pain after thoracotomy

  The patient's visual analogue scale pain score (VAS) at 2, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery,

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Pain during rest

  The patient's visual analogue scale pain score (VAS) at 2, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery

Other Outcomes (5)

• Pain during respiratory exercise

  The patient's visual analogue scale pain score (VAS) at 2, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery

• Pain during coughing exercise

  The patient's visual analogue scale pain score at (VAS) 2, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery

• Lung function

  Preoperative triflow measurement results and postoperative 24-hour triflow measurement results (cc/s)

Study Arms (2)

Acupressure group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients meeting the research criteria were included in the experimental group according to the randomisation table. The acupressure combination will be applied to the LI11, LU7, LU9, LU5, LU1, LU2, TE5, TE6,PC4, PC6 and LI4 points 2, 6 and 24 hours after surgery. Applications will last 1 minute for each point. Applications will last 1 minute for each point. Patients in this group will continue to receive routine clinical treatment and care. The patients' pain level during rest, breathing, coughing and mobilisation before surgery and 2, 6 and 24 hours after surgery, blood pressure, respiratory rate, respiratory count, SpO2 values, and lung volume before surgery and 24 hours after surgery will be measured and recorded using triflow. Additionally, the individuals' breathing and coughing exercise status will be assessed within the first 24 hours after surgery. These stages will also be carried out in a similar manner in the control group without any intervention.

Other: Acupressure group

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Patients meeting the study criteria were included in the control group according to the randomisation table. Patients in this group will continue to receive routine clinical treatment and care. The patients' pain level during rest, breathing, coughing and mobilisation before surgery and 2, 6 and 24 hours after surgery, blood pressure, respiratory rate, respiratory count, SpO2 values, and lung volume before surgery and 24 hours after surgery will be measured and recorded using triflow. Additionally, individuals' breathing and coughing exercise status will be assessed within the first 24 hours after surgery.

Interventions

Acupressure group OTHER

A series of acupressure applications

Acupressure group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Underwent thoracotomy
• Undergoing thoracic surgery for the first time
• Classified as ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology) physical status I, II and III
• Presence of a drain upon admission to the intensive care unit
• Conscious, oriented, and cooperative
• Provided verbal and written informed consent after receiving information about the study

You may not qualify if:

• Intubated
• Persistent anxiety before the surgery
• Diagnosed with panic disorder
• Chemotherapy within the last 6 months
• Diagnosed psychiatric illness or mental health problems
• Presence of edema
• Intraoperative or postoperative complications
• Non-Turkish speaking, or presence of hearing or visual impairment
• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30
• Participation in another clinical trial during the study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Özgül Aydemir: lead
• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: collaborator
• Dogus Universitesi: collaborator
• Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital: collaborator
• Yeditepe University Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Özgül Aydemir

Istanbul, 34067, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acute Pain; Mouth Breathing; Cough; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Study Officials

• İlhan Öztekin, Professör

  Yeditepe University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Seher Deniz Öztekin, Professör

  Doğuş University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Özgül Aydemir, Doctor

CONTACT

+905435326567; ozgul6761@gmail.com

Öykü Kara, Specialist

CONTACT

+905546669614; oyku.kara@iuc.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor

Model Details: Parallel Assignment Randomised controlled experimental

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2025
• First Posted: February 13, 2026
• Study Start: January 6, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 6, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 6, 2027
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)