THE EFFECT OF SU-JOK THERAPY APPLIED TO INTENSİVE CARE PATIENTS UNDER MECHANICVENTILATION SUPPORT

NCT07632781 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: HKU-LEE-MK-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Su Jok Therapy, applied to patients receiving mechanical ventilation support in the intensive care unit, on pain and physiological parameters.

Conditions

Intensive Care Unit Patients

Keywords

SU-JOK THERAPY; Intensive Care Unit; pain; PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Systolic Blood Pressure

  Hemodynamic response measured by systolic blood pressure

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Heart Rate (Pulse Rate)

  Heart rate measured in beats per minute

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

  Peripheral oxygen saturation

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Body Temperature

  Core body temperature

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Respiratory Rate

  Number of breaths per minute

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)

  Negative scores indicate sedation, positive scores indicate agitation

  baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

• Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)

  Higher scores indicate more severe pain

  baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Hemodynamic Stability Index (Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure Change)

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Oxygenation Trend (SpO₂ Change Over Time)

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Heart Rate Variability (Clinical Pulse Trend)

  baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

• Sedation-Agitation Level Stability (RASS Trend)

  baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

• Pain Intensity Change (Behavioral Pain Scale Trend)

  baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

Study Arms (3)

Intervetion group

EXPERIMENTAL

In the intervention group, su-jok seed therapy will be applied to the su-jok reflection zones on the hands.

Other: su jok therapy group

Placebo group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

In the placebo group, su-jok seed therapy will be applied to areas on the hands that are different from the reflection zones.

Other: Placebo Group

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention will be applied to the control group.

Interventions

su jok therapy group OTHER

In the intervention group, the reflex zones on the hands were identified with a probe. Buckwheat seeds were fixed to these areas with adhesive tape and massaged. The seeds remained in place for 4 hours. After 2 hours, these areas were stimulated with a 1-2 minute massage. Measurements were recorded on a data collection form. The application was carried out for 3 days.

Intervetion group

Placebo Group OTHER

In the placebo group, reflex zones on the hand were identified using a probe. Buckwheat seeds were fixed to a different area near these zones with a seed patch and massaged. The seeds remained in place for 4 hours. After 2 hours, these areas were stimulated with a 1-2 minute massage. Measurements were recorded on a data collection form. The application was carried out for 3 days.

Placebo group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Patients who are in intensive care,
• Patients receiving IMV support,
• Patients who were admitted to the ICU from the start date of the study and are planned to be monitored for at least 24 hours,
• Patients without any problems in the area where Su-Jok will be applied,
• Patients with GCS \> 3, RASS between +1 and +4, BPS \> 3

You may not qualify if:

• Patients in the ward,
• Patients with any problems such as fungal infections or wounds in the area where Su Jok will be applied,
• Patients with a GCS of 3,
• Patients not receiving IMV support will not be included in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hasan Kalyoncu University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kahramanmaraş

Kahramanmaraş, Kahramanmaraş, 46050, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• NERMİN OLGUN, Prof. Dr.

  Hasan Kalyoncu University

  STUDY CHAIR

• MELTEM KALAYCI

  Hasan Kalyoncu University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and care providers cannot be blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2025
• First Posted: June 8, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2025
• Study Completion: November 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)