The Effects of an App-based Acupressure on Alleviating Fatigue, Pruritus, and Sleep Quality Among Hemodialysis Patients

Sponsor
Taipei Medical University
Study ID
NCT07259369
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Fatigue
  • Hemodialysis Patient

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • app-based acupressure — DEVICE
    The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks. The app is structured into two main modules: Introduction and Practice. The Introduction section provides basic information about acupressure, including its definition, health benefits, and important safety considerations. This content is delivered through text, photos, and video to support different learning preferences.

Study Details

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an app-based self-guided acupressure intervention in alleviating fatigue and pruritus, and in improving sleep quality among hemodialysis patients. Design and subjects: The parallel randomized controlled trial will be employed in one hospital. Block randomization in a 1:1 ratio will be used to assign the patients to the intervention and control groups. It is estimated that 50 to 100 participants receiving hemodialysis will be recruited. Instrument: The demographic and health-related information questionnaire, the Post-dialysis Fatigue (PDF), 5-D Itch, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used in this study. Interventions: The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive usual care and no other intervention. Data analysis: Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis approaches will be performed. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis will be used to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to assess the impact of missing data on the treatment effect if necessary. Expected outcomes: Participants in the intervention group will know how to do the self-guided acupressure by themselves. If the intervention is effective, the App can be introduced to the hemodialysis patients who need it.

Key Dates

First listed
Dec 2, 2025
Start date
Dec 15, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Mar 15, 2026
Completion
Mar 15, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
70 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: App-based acupressure Group
    The intervention group will use an app-based self-guided acupressure program to do the acupressure by themselves once daily for 4 weeks.
  • No Intervention: Control group
    Participants in the control group will receive usual care and no other intervention. After completing the 12-week study, they will be granted free access to the application.

Primary Outcome Measure

Fatigue [ Time Frame: Fatigue will be assessed at the same time points for both groups (baseline (T1), 2 weeks during intervention (T2), immediately after the intervention (T3), 4 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T4), and 8 weeks follow-up after the intervention (T5)). ]

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