Intensive Care PatientsNCT07520773
Therapeutic Touch on Sleep, Comfort, and Physiological Parameters in Intensive Care Patients
A study testing Therapeutic Touch in people with Intensive Care Patients, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Intensive care units are critical clinical areas where patients in life-threatening conditions receive care under advanced technology and continuous monitoring. In this environment, patients' sleep patterns and comfort levels are frequently disrupted, which can negatively affect physiological stability and the… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Intensive Care Patients
- What is being tested?
- Therapeutic Touch
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to 1 Sep 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 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 and over.
- Patients who can communicate verbally.
- Patients monitored in the intensive care unit for at least 3 days.
- Patients who can give informed consent.
- Hemodynamically stable patients.
Who cannot join
- Patients under deep sedation.
- Patients on mechanical ventilation.
- Patients with psychiatric problems.
- Patients with skin diseases or conditions such as open wounds, infections, or burns that would prevent therapeutic touch.
- Patients with excessive sedation or delirium due to sedative/analgesic use.
- Patients experiencing sudden, life-threatening clinical changes during intensive care (e.g., sudden cardiac arrest or shock).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Sleep, Comfort, and Physiological Parameters in Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Intensive care units are critical clinical areas where patients in life-threatening conditions receive care under advanced technology and continuous monitoring. In this environment, patients' sleep patterns and comfort levels are frequently disrupted, which can negatively affect physiological stability and the recovery process. The aim of this thesis proposal is to examine the effects of therapeutic touch applied to intensive care patients on sleep quality, comfort level, and physiological parameters. The research is planned as a randomized experimental study with intervention, placebo, and control groups. The study will be conducted in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit of Fırat University Hospital between April 2026 and January 2027, and a total of 90 patients meeting the research criteria will be randomized into intervention (n=30), placebo (n=30), and control (n=30) groups. The research materials consist of the Patient Identification Form, VAS-Comfort Scale, Sleep Scale, and measurements of physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation). The intervention group will receive therapeutic touch, the placebo group will receive superficial contact, and the control group will receive routine care. The applications will be performed daily at 8:00 PM, and comfort scale and physiological parameters will be measured before and 30 minutes after the application. Sleep quality, as an outcome variable occurring throughout the night, will be assessed the following day using the Sleep Scale. This process will be repeated for 3 days. The obtained data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. In addition to descriptive statistics, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used for intergroup comparisons, and Repeated Measures ANOVA will be used to evaluate changes over time. In case of a significant difference, Bonferroni corrected post-hoc tests will be applied. If parametric assumptions are not met, appropriate non-parametric tests will be preferred. The significance level will be accepted as p<0.05. This study aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based practices in nursing care by revealing the effects of therapeutic touch on sleep quality, comfort level, and physiological parameters of intensive care patients.
- Conditions
- Intensive Care Patients
- Being tested
- Therapeutic Touch
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Therapeutic TouchBehavioural
Therapeutic Touch
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic Touch | Experimental | Therapeutic Touch Group Receives: Behavioral: Therapeutic Touch |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | The sham group will receive a simulated therapeutic touch procedure. The practitioner will mimic the hand movements and duration of the intervention without intentional energy transfer or therapeutic focus. The procedure will be performed at the same time, in the same environment, and for the same duration (approximately 15 minutes) as the intervention group. Receives: Behavioral: Therapeutic Touch |
| Control group | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale-Comfort
Widely used to measure the subjective comfort level of intensive care patients, the VAS Comfort is a self-report scale rated on a scale of 0-10 points. A score of 0 indicates that the individual is "not comfortable at all," and a score of 10 indicates that they are "excellently comfortable" (Huskisson, 1974). The scale allows for a quick and easy assessment of patients' comfort levels based on their own perceptions. Validity and reliability studies in Turkish are also available; for example, in the study by Ateş et al. (2018), it was determined that the Turkish form of the VAS Comfort is valid and reliable in clinical application
Measured: 30 minutes post-intervention)
Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire
Scale is a five-item self-report scale developed to assess the perceived sleep quality of intensive care patients (Richards, O'Sullivan \& Phillips, 2000). The scale covers the dimensions of sleep depth, time to fall asleep, frequency of awakenings, time spent awake, and overall sleep quality. Each item is scored on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-100 mm; 0 indicates "worst sleep", and 100 indicates "best sleep". The total score is calculated by taking the arithmetic mean of the five items, and higher scores indicate better sleep quality. The RCSQ is widely preferred in clinical studies because it can be applied quickly and safely in conscious and communicative intensive care patients. The Turkish adaptation and validity-reliability study of the scale was conducted by Karaman Özlü \& Özer (2015); it was reported that the Turkish form is reliable and valid, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91.
Measured: One day after the procedure
The Therapeutic Touch Pre/Post Physiological Parameters Form
This is a data collection tool created by the researcher to evaluate the physiological effects of therapeutic touch application. In the form, physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are recorded before and after the application, and the effect of therapeutic touch is evaluated by comparing the obtained values.
Measured: 30 minutes post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Apr 2026
- Study start1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Intensive Care PatientsStudies 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gülcan Bahçecioğlu Turan, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07520773
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/02-03
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Sleep, Comfort, and Physiological Parameters in Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07520773
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/02-03
- Conditions
- Intensive Care Patients
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Apr 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.
Intensive care units are critical clinical areas where patients in life-threatening conditions receive care under advanced technology and continuous monitoring. In this environment, patients' sleep patterns and comfort levels are frequently disrupted, which can negatively affect physiological stability and the recovery process. The aim of this thesis proposal is to examine the effects of therapeutic touch applied to intensive care patients on sleep quality, comfort level, and physiological parameters. The research is planned as a randomized experimental study with intervention, placebo, and control groups. The study will be conducted in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit of Fırat University Hospital between April 2026 and January 2027, and a total of 90 patients meeting the research criteria will be randomized into intervention (n=30), placebo (n=30), and control (n=30) groups. The research materials consist of the Patient Identification Form, VAS-Comfort Scale, Sleep Scale, and measurements of physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation). The intervention group will receive therapeutic touch, the placebo group will receive superficial contact, and the control group will receive routine care. The applications will be performed daily at 8:00 PM, and comfort scale and physiological parameters will be measured before and 30 minutes after the application. Sleep quality, as an outcome variable occurring throughout the night, will be assessed the following day using the Sleep Scale. This process will be repeated for 3 days. The obtained data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. In addition to descriptive statistics, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used for intergroup comparisons, and Repeated Measures ANOVA will be used to evaluate changes over time. In case of a significant difference, Bonferroni corrected post-hoc tests will be applied. If parametric assumptions are not met, appropriate non-parametric tests will be preferred. The significance level will be accepted as p<0.05. This study aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based practices in nursing care by revealing the effects of therapeutic touch on sleep quality, comfort level, and physiological parameters of intensive care patients.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic Touch | Experimental | Behavioral: Therapeutic TouchTherapeutic Touch Group |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | Behavioral: Therapeutic TouchThe sham group will receive a simulated therapeutic touch procedure. The practitioner will mimic the hand movements and duration of the intervention without intentional energy transfer or therapeutic focus. The procedure will be performed at the same time, in the same environment, and for the same duration (approximately 15 minutes) as the intervention group. |
| Control group | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adults aged 18 and over.
- Patients who can communicate verbally.
- Patients monitored in the intensive care unit for at least 3 days.
- Patients who can give informed consent.
- Hemodynamically stable patients.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Patients under deep sedation.
- Patients on mechanical ventilation.
- Patients with psychiatric problems.
- Patients with skin diseases or conditions such as open wounds, infections, or burns that would prevent therapeutic touch.
- Patients with excessive sedation or delirium due to sedative/analgesic use.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic TouchTherapeutic Touch | Behavioural | Sham group, Therapeutic Touch |
Primary outcome
Visual Analog Scale-Comfort
Time frame: 30 minutes post-intervention)
Widely used to measure the subjective comfort level of intensive care patients, the VAS Comfort is a self-report scale rated on a scale of 0-10 points. A score of 0 indicates that the individual is "not comfortable at all," and a score of 10 indicates that they are "excellently comfortable" (Huskisson, 1974). The scale allows for a quick and easy assessment of patients' comfort levels based on their own perceptions. Validity and reliability studies in Turkish are also available; for example, in the study by Ateş et al. (2018), it was determined that the Turkish form of the VAS Comfort is valid and reliable in clinical application
Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire
Time frame: One day after the procedure
Scale is a five-item self-report scale developed to assess the perceived sleep quality of intensive care patients (Richards, O'Sullivan \& Phillips, 2000). The scale covers the dimensions of sleep depth, time to fall asleep, frequency of awakenings, time spent awake, and overall sleep quality. Each item is scored on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-100 mm; 0 indicates "worst sleep", and 100 indicates "best sleep". The total score is calculated by taking the arithmetic mean of the five items, and higher scores indicate better sleep quality. The RCSQ is widely preferred in clinical studies because it can be applied quickly and safely in conscious and communicative intensive care patients. The Turkish adaptation and validity-reliability study of the scale was conducted by Karaman Özlü \& Özer (2015); it was reported that the Turkish form is reliable and valid, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91.
The Therapeutic Touch Pre/Post Physiological Parameters Form
Time frame: 30 minutes post-intervention
This is a data collection tool created by the researcher to evaluate the physiological effects of therapeutic touch application. In the form, physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are recorded before and after the application, and the effect of therapeutic touch is evaluated by comparing the obtained values.
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 14 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
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 Therapeutic Touch in people with Intensive Care Patients, run by Firat 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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Apr 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?
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?
Visual Analog Scale-Comfort (time frame: 30 minutes post-intervention)). The study lists 3 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 14 Apr 2026.