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NCT Number: NCT07410936

Self-Acupressure and Social Jet Lag in Female Health Sciences Students

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Social Jet Lag Circadian Rhythm Disruption Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Parasomnias Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Disturbance Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Quality Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital

Niğde, Merkez, 51240, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

05233646954

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

Self-Acupressure Intervention

Other

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-Acupressure

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. 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).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Participant blinding assessment (treatment guess)

    Time frame: At 1 month and 3 months after baseline

    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.

  2. 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 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).

  3. Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)

    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).

Other outcomes

  1. Average nightly sleep duration (work/school days vs free days)

    Time frame: Mean nightly sleep duration calculated over the 14 days immediately preceding baseline and over the 14 days immediately preceding Week 12.

    Average nightly sleep duration (hours), calculated separately for work/school days and free days using a 14-day sleep diary.

  2. Subjective sleep onset latency

    Time frame: Mean sleep onset latency calculated over the 14 days immediately preceding baseline and over the 14 days immediately preceding Week 12.

    Self-reported time to fall asleep (minutes) recorded in the 14-day sleep diary.

  3. Participant satisfaction (0-10)

    Time frame: Week 12

    Participant-reported satisfaction with the intervention assessed using a single-item numeric rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no satisfaction and 10 indicates maximum satisfaction. Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.

  4. Intervention adherence (% of sessions)

    Time frame: Week 12 (calculated over the 12-week intervention period).

    Adherence calculated as the percentage of completed sessions out of the total prescribed sessions during the 12-week intervention period, based on participant logs.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905233646954

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nigde Omer Halisdemir University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Self-Acupressure on Social Jet Lag, Sleep Patterns, and Sleep Quality in Female Health Sciences Students: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 2, 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.

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