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CholelithiasisNCT07363668

Investigation of the Effects of Aromatherapy Foot Massage on Postoperative Pain, Sleep, and Recovery in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

A study testing aromatherapy foot massage in people with Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis, run by Ataturk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy foot massage on postoperative pain, sleep quality, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
aromatherapy foot massage
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
103 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Oct 2023to 1 Mar 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults aged 18 years and older
  • Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy
  • Able to communicate and provide informed consent
  • Willing to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Patients with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties
  • Patients with chronic pain disorders
  • Patients using continuous analgesic or sedative medication
  • Patients with complications requiring intensive care
  • Patients who decline to participate

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Atatürk University Research and Application Center

    Erzurum

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy foot massage on postoperative pain, sleep quality, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eligible patients are randomly assigned to either an aromatherapy foot massage group or a control group receiving standard postoperative care.

In the intervention group, aromatherapy foot massage is applied to both feet for 10 minutes approximately one hour after surgery and repeated six hours later. The control group receives routine postoperative care without massage.

Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Sleep quality is assessed using the Visual Sleep Scale, and postoperative recovery is assessed using the Postoperative Recovery Index. Measurements are performed preoperatively and during the postoperative period according to the study protocol.

The study is conducted in accordance with ethical principles, and written informed consent is obtained from all participants.

Being tested
aromatherapy foot massage
Keywords
Nursing, Aromatherapy, Foot massage, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Sleep quality, Postoperative recovery
Medical subject headings
Cholelithiasis, Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Diseases, Pain, Postoperative, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • aromatherapy foot massageOther

    Aromatherapy foot massage applied to both feet for 10 minutes approximately one hour after surgery and repeated six hours later.

Study groups in NCT07363668
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Aromatherapy foot massageExperimentalPatients receiving aromatherapy foot massage in addition to standard postoperative care
Receives: Other: aromatherapy foot massage
controlNo interventionPatients receiving standard postoperative care without aromatherapy massage

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. pain intensity (VAS score)

    Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

    Measured: 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the massage session and on postoperative Day 1

  2. postoperative recovery (postoperative recovery ındex score)

    Postoperative recovery was assessed using the Postoperative Recovery Index (PRI), a validated questionnaire used to evaluate patients' recovery after surgery. Higher scores indicate better postoperative recovery.

    Measured: Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative Day 1

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. sleep quality (visual sleep scale score)

    Sleep quality was assessed using the Visual Sleep Scale (VSS), a self-reported scale used to evaluate perceived sleep quality. Higher scores indicate better sleep quality.

    Measured: Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative Day 1

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Jan 2026
  2. Study start1 Oct 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Mar 2024
  4. Study completion1 Mar 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Health services research
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
103 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07363668
Sponsor's protocol ID
2023/47
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
22 Dec 2025
Last updated
23 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be shared in an anonymized form upon request from researchers.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing aromatherapy foot massage in people with Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis, run by Ataturk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

pain intensity (VAS score) (time frame: 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the massage session and on postoperative Day 1). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jan 2026.

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