Acupressure for Pain, Injection Fear, and Satisfaction in Intramuscular Injection Patients

NCT07505992 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Doğu Akdeniz Üniversitesi
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 68
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Intramuscular (IM) injection-related pain and anxiety continue to be common problems in nursing practice. Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupressure are increasingly recognized for their potential to reduce procedure-related discomfort and enhance patient satisfaction. Aim: This study is planned to evaluate the effects of acupressure therapy on pain, injection-related fear, and post-injection satisfaction among patients receiving IM injections. Methods: This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to be conducted with 68 patients presenting to the emergency department and requiring IM diclofenac sodium injection. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 34), which will receive acupressure at the GB30 (Huantiao) point prior to injection, or a control group (n = 34), which will receive standard care. Data will be collected using the Visual Analog Scale, Injection Fear Scale, and Post-Injection Satisfaction Scale.

Conditions

Pain; Satisfaction; Fear

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Visual Analog Scale

  There is a significant difference in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores between patients in the acupressure group and those in the control group

  1 day

• Fear Scale

  There is a significant difference in injection fear scale (IFS) scores between patients in the acupressure group and those in the control group.

  1 day

• postinjection satisfaction scale

  There is a significant difference in postinjection satisfaction scale (PISS) scores between patients in the acupressure group and those in the control group.

  1 day

Study Arms (2)

acupressure group

EXPERIMENTAL

acupressure

Other: acupressure

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Standard injection procedure was performed.

Interventions

acupressure OTHER

Acupressure was applied to the GB30 point, which is anatomically located at the junction of the lateral one- third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the greater trochanter of the femur and the sacral hiatus. Pressure was applied using the thumb at an intensity sufficient to produce slight skin blanching without causing pain, consistent with previously published acupressure protocols. The pressure was applied continuously for 1 minute immediately prior to the IM injection. To ensure consistency and standardization, all acupressure applications were performed by the same researcher following a predefined protocol. Participants in the control group received routine IM injection care without acupressure intervention.

acupressure group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Were aged 18 years or older,
• Possessed sufficient physical and cognitive abilities to assess pain using the VAS,
• Had the ability to read and comprehend study instructions,
• Were newly prescribed IM Diclofenac Sodium (without prior doses),
• Had a body mass index within the normal or obese range ac- cording to WHO classification,
• Had no scars, wounds,

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who had taken any analgesic medications on the day of injection were excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Eastern Mediterranean University

Famagusta, 34381, Cyprus

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Personal Satisfaction

Interventions

Acupressure

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Seda C Cevheroglu, Assit. Prof

  Eastern Mediterranean University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assit. Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2026
• First Posted: April 1, 2026
• Study Start: November 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2025
• Study Completion: February 20, 2025
• Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CY (1)