Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07363668

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

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Cholelithiasis Biliary Tract Diseases Cholecystitis Digestive System Diseases Dyssomnias Gallbladder Diseases Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Postoperative Pain Signs and Symptoms Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Atatürk University Research and Application Center

Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

aromatherapy foot massage

Other

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

Primary outcomes

  1. pain intensity (VAS score)

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

    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.

  2. postoperative recovery (postoperative recovery ındex score)

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative Day 1

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. sleep quality (visual sleep scale score)

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative Day 1

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ataturk University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.