The Effect of Acupressure Application on Respiratory Performance and Pain Levels in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Sponsor
Fenerbahce University
Study ID
NCT07771751
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

Notify me when recruiting opens

Save your spot on the interest list for this study. We'll keep your details with this study so our team can follow up when recruiting opens.

Not yet recruiting

Add your contact details and location so we can keep your interest tied to this study.

Conditions

  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Postoperative Pain

Eligibility Criteria

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

Interventions

  • Acupressure — BEHAVIORAL
    Acupressure will be applied to the LI4 (Hegu) (on the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones), LU7 (Lieque) (on the radial side of the forearm, approximately 3.75 cm \[1.5 cun\] above the wrist crease), and PC6 (Neiguan) (on the palmar aspect of the forearm, approximately 5 cm \[2 cun\] above the wrist crease) acupoints (Appendix-4), which are reported in the literature to positively affect pain and the respiratory system. The intervention will be performed by a researcher holding an acupressure certification. Using the thumb, index finger, or middle finger, pressure will be applied to the identified LI4, LU7, and PC6 points to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm for 10 seconds. After a 2-second release, the pressure will be continued for 2 minutes (Düzel et al., 2023; Vanzini et al., 2021; Narimani et al., 2018).
  • Placebo Acuprresure — BEHAVIORAL
    In the placebo acupressure group, all procedural steps will be performed in the exact same manner as in the true acupressure group. However, very light pressure will be applied to sham areas located 1.5 cm away from the LI4, LU7, and PC6 acupoints that do not fall on any meridian. Using the thumb, index finger, or middle finger, this very light pressure will be applied to each point for 10 seconds, followed by a 2-second rest, continuing for 2 minutes per point. The application will be performed bilaterally and will take an average of 15 minutes. Following the procedure, a 20-minute resting period will be provided.
  • Incentive spirometry — BEHAVIORAL
    The study will use a triflow device, which consists of three separate chambers and a breathing tube with a mouthpiece. The chambers contain colored balls corresponding to flow volumes of 600, 900, and 1200 mL/sec, respectively. An inspiratory flow of 600 mL/sec raises the ball in the first chamber, an inspiratory flow of 900 mL/sec raises the ball in the second chamber, and an inspiratory flow of 1200 mL/sec raises the ball in the third chamber (Amin et al., 2021). To measure inspiratory flow rate and volume, patients will be instructed to seal their lips tightly around the triflow mouthpiece, ensuring no gaps remain. Patients will be asked to take a deep and slow breath to raise the balls. Subsequently, to measure expiratory flow rate and volume, they will be asked to remove the mouthpiece, hold their breath for 3 to 5 seconds, and then exhale normally (Gökçe et al., 2025).

Study Details

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of acupressure on respiratory performance and pain levels in adult patients who have undergone open-heart surgery. Pulmonary complications and severe pain are common after cardiac surgery, often limiting the effectiveness of standard deep breathing exercises such as incentive spirometry. This study investigates whether applying acupressure-a non-invasive complementary therapy-can help manage postoperative pain and improve respiratory capacity. By potentially reducing pain without the respiratory side effects associated with pharmacological medications, acupressure may enable patients to perform their breathing exercises more effectively and support their overall recovery.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 18, 2026
Start date
Sep 21, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Sep 21, 2027
Completion
Sep 21, 2027

Study Design

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

Arms

  • Experimental: Acupressure Group
    Acupressure will be applied to the LI4 (Hegu) (on the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones), LU7 (Lieque) (on the radial side of the forearm, approximately 3.75 cm \[1.5 cun\] above the wrist crease), and PC6 (Neiguan) (on the palmar aspect of the forearm, approximately 5 cm \[2 cun\] above the wrist crease) acupoints (Appendix-4), which are reported in the literature to positively affect pain and the respiratory system. The intervention will be performed by a researcher holding an acupressure certification. Using the thumb, index finger, or middle finger, pressure will be applied to the identified LI4, LU7, and PC6 points to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm for 10 seconds. After a 2-second release, the pressure will be continued for 2 minutes (Düzel et al., 2023; Vanzini et al., 2021; Narimani et al., 2018).
  • Sham Comparator: Placebo Acupressure Group
    In the placebo acupressure group, all procedural steps will be performed in the exact same manner as in the true acupressure group. However, very light pressure will be applied to sham areas located 1.5 cm away from the LI4, LU7, and PC6 acupoints that do not fall on any meridian. Using the thumb, index finger, or middle finger, this very light pressure will be applied to each point for 10 seconds, followed by a 2-second rest, continuing for 2 minutes per point. The application will be performed bilaterally and will take an average of 15 minutes. Following the procedure, a 20-minute resting period will be provided.
  • Active Comparator: control group
    Patients in this group will receive only standard postoperative nursing care and routine incentive spirometry exercises.

Primary Outcome Measure

Inspiratory and Expiratory Airflow Volume and Rate [ Time Frame: Evaluated before and immediately after the intervention (acupressure, placebo acupressure, or standard triflow exercise). ]

Central Contacts

Related Studies