Effect of Acupressure on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Hopelessness in Older Adults

NCT07435246 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-TS-73
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness levels in older adults living in a nursing home setting. Aging is associated with decreased sleep quality, reduced life satisfaction, and increased psychological distress, including hopelessness. Non-pharmacological and low-risk interventions are increasingly needed to improve well-being in older populations. In this study, 50 participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (acupressure) or a control group (no intervention). The intervention group received acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks. The control group received routine care without additional intervention. Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention using the CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale, the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The study evaluates whether acupressure can serve as a safe and effective complementary nursing intervention to improve sleep and overall well-being in older adults.

Conditions

Sleep Disturbance; Hopelessness; Aging

Keywords

Acupressure; Older Adults; Sleep Quality; Quality of Life; Hopelessness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Sleep Quality Score

  Sleep quality was assessed using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better sleep quality. The primary endpoint was the change in total score from baseline to week 4.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Quality of Life Score

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4

Study Arms (2)

Acupressure Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received manual acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks in addition to routine care.

Other: Acupressure

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received routine institutional care without additional intervention during the study period.

Interventions

Acupressure OTHER

Manual acupressure was applied bilaterally to HT7, P6, and SP6 points. Each point was stimulated for approximately two minutes per session. The intervention was administered three times weekly for four consecutive weeks by a trained researcher.

Acupressure Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Residing in the nursing home where the study was conducted
• Able to communicate verbally
• Able to read and understand the questionnaires
• Volunteered to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of skin lesions, wounds, or infection at acupressure points
• Diagnosed cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion
• Severe hearing or communication problems
• Receiving another complementary therapy during the study period
• Refusal to continue participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi: lead
• Kafkas University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Kafkas University

Kars, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parasomnias; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Interventions

Acupressure

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The statistician who analyzed the data was blinded to group allocation. Participants were not informed about group assignment during data collection.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Randomized, parallel-group controlled study with two arms (acupressure intervention and routine care control group). Participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 20, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2025
• Study Completion: May 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Individual participant data will be available beginning 6 months after publication of the study results and ending 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: Access to de-identified individual participant data, study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and analytic code will be granted to researchers who provide a methodologically sound research proposal. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author. Data will be shared after approval by the study investigators and signing of a data use agreement. Data will be provided in electronic format.

Locations

TU (1)