Social Jet LagNCT07410936
Self-Acupressure and Social Jet Lag in Female Health Sciences Students
A study testing Self-Acupressure Intervention in people with Social Jet Lag and Sleep Disturbance, run by Nigde Omer Halisdemir University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on social jet lag, sleep patterns, and sleep quality in female health sciences students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Social Jet Lag, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Quality
- What is being tested?
- Self-Acupressure Intervention
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 24 Apr 2026to 15 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 to 25 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female undergraduate students enrolled in midwifery or medical programs
- Age 18 to 25 years
- Regular academic schedule (work/school days and free days identifiable)
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
- Ability to comply with daily self-acupressure practice for 12 weeks
- Ability to complete sleep questionnaires and sleep diary
Who cannot join
- Current diagnosis of a sleep disorder requiring medical treatment (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
- Use of medications known to significantly affect sleep or circadian rhythms (e.g., hypnotics, stimulants)
- Shift work or night work during the study period
- Transmeridian travel (≥2 time zones) within the past 4 weeks or planned during the study period
- Chronic medical or psychiatric condition that may significantly affect sleep
- Current pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital
Niğde, Merkez, 51240
Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof., 05233646954, drpinarerdogan@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of Self-Acupressure on Social Jet Lag, Sleep Patterns, and Sleep Quality in Female Health Sciences Students: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial
This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on social jet lag, sleep patterns, and sleep quality in female health sciences students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be performed daily for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period, with the primary outcome being the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and participant blinding assessment.
Read the detailed description
Social jet lag, defined as the misalignment between biological circadian rhythms and socially imposed schedules, is highly prevalent among university students and is associated with impaired sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and adverse health outcomes. Female students in health sciences programs may be particularly vulnerable due to academic workload and irregular schedules. Non-pharmacological, self-administered interventions that can be easily integrated into daily routines may offer a practical approach to improving sleep-related outcomes in this population.
This study is a randomized, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of a 12-week self-acupressure intervention on social jet lag and sleep-related outcomes. Eligible participants are female health sciences students who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. Both groups receive standardized training and apply their respective protocols daily for the same duration and frequency.
The experimental intervention consists of self-administered acupressure applied to predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang) using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. The sham intervention is matched in duration, frequency, and pressure but is applied to non-acupoint locations not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points. This design aims to control for nonspecific effects such as attention, expectation, and tactile stimulation.
Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention period. The primary outcome is the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, sleep pattern parameters, and assessment of participant blinding success. Blinding effectiveness is evaluated by asking participants to guess their group assignment at follow-up.
The study is conducted under minimal risk conditions, and all participants provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.
- Being tested
- Self-Acupressure Intervention, Sham Self-Acupressure
- Keywords
- Self-acupressure, Social jet lag, Sleep quality, Sleep patterns, Circadian rhythm, University students, Sham-controlled trial
- Medical subject headings
- Parasomnias, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Self-Acupressure InterventionOther
Participants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang). Training is provided face-to-face at baseline. Participants are instructed to apply acupressure daily at home using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. Each session is performed according to the study protocol for a total duration of 12 weeks.
Sham Self-AcupressureOther
Participants receive structured training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in frequency, session duration, and pressure. Sham acupressure is applied daily at non-acupoint locations that are not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure, for a total duration of 12 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Acupressure Intervention (HT7, SP6, Yintang) | Experimental | Participants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang) and are instructed to apply the protocol at home with the same frequency and session duration throughout the study period, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. Receives: Other: Self-Acupressure Intervention |
| Sham Self-Acupressure | Sham comparator | Participants receive training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in session duration and frequency. Sham acupressure is applied using the same instruction format and time schedule as the experimental arm, but at non-acupoint locations that are not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points. Participants are instructed to apply moderate, comfortable pressure (non-painful), consistent with the experimental arm. Receives: Other: Sham Self-Acupressure |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Social Jet Lag (ΔSJL)
Change in social jet lag (hours), calculated as the absolute difference between mid-sleep time on free days (MSF) and mid-sleep time on work/school days (MSW), derived from a Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ)-based assessment and a 14-day sleep diary. Social jet lag values range from 0 hours upward, with higher values indicating greater circadian misalignment. The primary outcome is defined as the change in social jet lag from baseline to Week 12 (Week 12 - baseline).
Measured: Baseline (T0) and Week 12 (end of 3-month follow-up); primary analysis uses change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Participant blinding assessment (treatment guess)
Participant-reported guess of group assignment, assessed using a single-item categorical question with three response options: "active self-acupressure," "sham self-acupressure," or "unsure." The proportion of correct guesses will be used to evaluate the success of blinding. Blinding will be considered successful if the proportion of correct guesses does not significantly exceed chance level.
Measured: At 1 month and 3 months after baseline
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score. The PSQI total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality. The outcome is defined as the change in total score from baseline to Week 12 (Week 12 - baseline).
Measured: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score
Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. The ESS total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater daytime sleepiness. The outcome is defined as the change in total score from baseline to Week 12 (Week 12 - baseline).
Measured: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Feb 2026
- Study start24 Apr 2026
- Primary completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Social Jet LagStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Participants are individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a self-acupressure intervention or a sham self-acupressure control. There is no crossover between study arms, and all participants are followed for 12 weeks.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Pınar Erdoğan, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07410936
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 22504254-050.04/18-60
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. De-identified data will be stored securely and used only for the purposes of this study and related publications, in accordance with institutional ethics approval.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Self-Acupressure on Social Jet Lag, Sleep Patterns, and Sleep Quality in Female Health Sciences Students: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07410936
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 22504254-050.04/18-60
- Keywords
- Self-acupressure, Social jet lag, Sleep quality, Sleep patterns, Circadian rhythm, University students, Sham-controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Nigde Omer Halisdemir UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 24 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on social jet lag, sleep patterns, and sleep quality in female health sciences students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be performed daily for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period, with the primary outcome being the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and participant blinding assessment.
Detailed description
Social jet lag, defined as the misalignment between biological circadian rhythms and socially imposed schedules, is highly prevalent among university students and is associated with impaired sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and adverse health outcomes. Female students in health sciences programs may be particularly vulnerable due to academic workload and irregular schedules. Non-pharmacological, self-administered interventions that can be easily integrated into daily routines may offer a practical approach to improving sleep-related outcomes in this population.
This study is a randomized, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of a 12-week self-acupressure intervention on social jet lag and sleep-related outcomes. Eligible participants are female health sciences students who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. Both groups receive standardized training and apply their respective protocols daily for the same duration and frequency.
The experimental intervention consists of self-administered acupressure applied to predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang) using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. The sham intervention is matched in duration, frequency, and pressure but is applied to non-acupoint locations not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points. This design aims to control for nonspecific effects such as attention, expectation, and tactile stimulation.
Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention period. The primary outcome is the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, sleep pattern parameters, and assessment of participant blinding success. Blinding effectiveness is evaluated by asking participants to guess their group assignment at follow-up.
The study is conducted under minimal risk conditions, and all participants provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Participants are individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a self-acupressure intervention or a sham self-acupressure control. There is no crossover between study arms, and all participants are followed for 12 weeks.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Acupressure Intervention (HT7, SP6, Yintang) | Experimental | Other: Self-Acupressure InterventionParticipants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang) and are instructed to apply the protocol at home with the same frequency and session duration throughout the study period, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. |
| Sham Self-Acupressure | Sham comparator | Other: Sham Self-AcupressureParticipants receive training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in session duration and frequency. Sham acupressure is applied using the same instruction format and time schedule as the experimental arm, but at non-acupoint locations that are not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points. Participants are instructed to apply moderate, comfortable pressure (non-painful), consistent with the experimental arm. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Female undergraduate students enrolled in midwifery or medical programs
- Age 18 to 25 years
- Regular academic schedule (work/school days and free days identifiable)
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
- Ability to comply with daily self-acupressure practice for 12 weeks
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Current diagnosis of a sleep disorder requiring medical treatment (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
- Use of medications known to significantly affect sleep or circadian rhythms (e.g., hypnotics, stimulants)
- Shift work or night work during the study period
- Transmeridian travel (≥2 time zones) within the past 4 weeks or planned during the study period
- Chronic medical or psychiatric condition that may significantly affect sleep
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Acupressure InterventionParticipants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang). Training is provided face-to-face at baseline. Participants are instructed to apply acupressure daily at home using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. Each session is performed according to the study protocol for a total duration of 12 weeks. | Other | Self-Acupressure Intervention (HT7, SP6, Yintang) |
| Sham Self-AcupressureParticipants receive structured training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in frequency, session duration, and pressure. Sham acupressure is applied daily at non-acupoint locations that are not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure, for a total duration of 12 weeks. | Other | Sham Self-Acupressure |
Primary outcome
Change in Social Jet Lag (ΔSJL)
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12 (end of 3-month follow-up); primary analysis uses change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Change in social jet lag (hours), calculated as the absolute difference between mid-sleep time on free days (MSF) and mid-sleep time on work/school days (MSW), derived from a Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ)-based assessment and a 14-day sleep diary. Social jet lag values range from 0 hours upward, with higher values indicating greater circadian misalignment. The primary outcome is defined as the change in social jet lag from baseline to Week 12 (Week 12 - baseline).
3 secondary outcomes
Participant blinding assessment (treatment guess)
Time frame: At 1 month and 3 months after baseline
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. De-identified data will be stored securely and used only for the purposes of this study and related publications, in accordance with institutional ethics approval.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Self-Acupressure Intervention in people with Social Jet Lag and Sleep Disturbance, run by Nigde Omer Halisdemir 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 6 inclusion and 6 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof. (+905233646954, drpinarerdogan@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Social Jet Lag (ΔSJL) (time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12 (end of 3-month follow-up); primary analysis uses change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)). 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 24 Aug 2026.