Sleep DisturbanceACU-ELDERNCT07435246
Effect of Acupressure on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Hopelessness in Older Adults
A study testing Acupressure in people with Sleep Disturbance and Hopelessness, run by Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness levels in older adults living in a nursing home setting. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sleep Disturbance, Hopelessness, Aging
- What is being tested?
- Acupressure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2024to 30 May 2025
- 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 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 65 years or older
- Residing in the nursing home where the study was conducted
- Able to communicate verbally
- Able to read and understand the questionnaires
- Volunteered to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Presence of skin lesions, wounds, or infection at acupressure points
- Diagnosed cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion
- Severe hearing or communication problems
- Receiving another complementary therapy during the study period
- Refusal to continue participation
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Acupressure on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Hopelessness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness levels in older adults living in a nursing home setting. Aging is associated with decreased sleep quality, reduced life satisfaction, and increased psychological distress, including hopelessness. Non-pharmacological and low-risk interventions are increasingly needed to improve well-being in older populations.
In this study, 50 participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (acupressure) or a control group (no intervention). The intervention group received acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks. The control group received routine care without additional intervention.
Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention using the CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale, the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The study evaluates whether acupressure can serve as a safe and effective complementary nursing intervention to improve sleep and overall well-being in older adults.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness among older adults residing in a nursing home.
A total of 50 participants aged 65 years and older were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=25) or the control group (n=25) using simple randomization. Eligibility criteria included being 65 years or older, residing in the nursing home, and having the ability to read and understand study materials. Individuals with skin lesions, infection, sensory loss in acupressure areas, or those unwilling to participate were excluded.
The intervention group received acupressure applied to bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points. Each point was stimulated manually for approximately two minutes per session. The intervention was administered three times per week for four consecutive weeks by a trained researcher. The control group received routine institutional care without additional intervention.
Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. Quality of life was measured using the CASP-19 scale, sleep quality was evaluated using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and hopelessness levels were measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale.
Data were analyzed using independent-samples t tests and paired-samples t tests. The study aimed to determine whether acupressure could improve sleep quality and quality of life and reduce hopelessness in older adults. This intervention represents a low-cost, non-invasive complementary nursing approach that may support holistic elderly care.
- Conditions
- Sleep Disturbance, Hopelessness, Aging
- Being tested
- Acupressure
- Keywords
- Acupressure, Older Adults, Sleep Quality, Quality of Life, Hopelessness
- 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.
AcupressureOther
Manual acupressure was applied bilaterally to HT7, P6, and SP6 points. Each point was stimulated for approximately two minutes per session. The intervention was administered three times weekly for four consecutive weeks by a trained researcher.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acupressure Group | Experimental | Participants received manual acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks in addition to routine care. Receives: Other: Acupressure |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants received routine institutional care without additional intervention during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Sleep Quality Score
Sleep quality was assessed using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better sleep quality. The primary endpoint was the change in total score from baseline to week 4.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Quality of Life Score
Quality of life was measured using the CASP-19 scale. Total scores range from 0 to 57, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Change from baseline to week 4 was analyzed.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2024
- Primary completion30 May 2025
- Study completion30 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sleep DisturbanceStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized, parallel-group controlled study with two arms (acupressure intervention and routine care control group). Participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Kafkas University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nida Efetürk, Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07435246
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024-TS-73
- Acronym
- ACU-ELDER
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared, including baseline demographic characteristics (age, sex), group allocation, and outcome measure scores (Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale) collected at baseline and at week 4. No personally identifiable information will be included in the shared dataset.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Acupressure on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Hopelessness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07435246
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACU-ELDER / 2024-TS-73
- Conditions
- Sleep Disturbance, Hopelessness, Aging
- Keywords
- Acupressure, Older Adults, Sleep Quality, Quality of Life, Hopelessness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji ÜniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Kafkas University
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 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 controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness levels in older adults living in a nursing home setting. Aging is associated with decreased sleep quality, reduced life satisfaction, and increased psychological distress, including hopelessness. Non-pharmacological and low-risk interventions are increasingly needed to improve well-being in older populations.
In this study, 50 participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (acupressure) or a control group (no intervention). The intervention group received acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks. The control group received routine care without additional intervention.
Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention using the CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale, the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The study evaluates whether acupressure can serve as a safe and effective complementary nursing intervention to improve sleep and overall well-being in older adults.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of acupressure on quality of life, sleep quality, and hopelessness among older adults residing in a nursing home.
A total of 50 participants aged 65 years and older were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=25) or the control group (n=25) using simple randomization. Eligibility criteria included being 65 years or older, residing in the nursing home, and having the ability to read and understand study materials. Individuals with skin lesions, infection, sensory loss in acupressure areas, or those unwilling to participate were excluded.
The intervention group received acupressure applied to bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points. Each point was stimulated manually for approximately two minutes per session. The intervention was administered three times per week for four consecutive weeks by a trained researcher. The control group received routine institutional care without additional intervention.
Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. Quality of life was measured using the CASP-19 scale, sleep quality was evaluated using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and hopelessness levels were measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale.
Data were analyzed using independent-samples t tests and paired-samples t tests. The study aimed to determine whether acupressure could improve sleep quality and quality of life and reduce hopelessness in older adults. This intervention represents a low-cost, non-invasive complementary nursing approach that may support holistic elderly care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized, parallel-group controlled study with two arms (acupressure intervention and routine care control group). Participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acupressure Group | Experimental | Other: AcupressureParticipants received manual acupressure applied to Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (P6), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points three times per week for four weeks in addition to routine care. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants received routine institutional care without additional intervention during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 65 years or older
- Residing in the nursing home where the study was conducted
- Able to communicate verbally
- Able to read and understand the questionnaires
- Volunteered to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Presence of skin lesions, wounds, or infection at acupressure points
- Diagnosed cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion
- Severe hearing or communication problems
- Receiving another complementary therapy during the study period
- Refusal to continue participation
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AcupressureManual acupressure was applied bilaterally to HT7, P6, and SP6 points. Each point was stimulated for approximately two minutes per session. The intervention was administered three times weekly for four consecutive weeks by a trained researcher. | Other | Acupressure Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Sleep Quality Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4
Sleep quality was assessed using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better sleep quality. The primary endpoint was the change in total score from baseline to week 4.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Quality of Life Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared, including baseline demographic characteristics (age, sex), group allocation, and outcome measure scores (Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale) collected at baseline and at week 4. No personally identifiable information will be included in the shared dataset.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acupressure in people with Sleep Disturbance and Hopelessness, run by Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi 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 5 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 27 Feb 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?
Change in Sleep Quality Score (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4). 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 27 Feb 2026.