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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07632781

THE EFFECT OF SU-JOK THERAPY APPLIED TO INTENSİVE CARE PATIENTS UNDER MECHANICVENTILATION SUPPORT

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Su Jok Therapy, applied to patients receiving mechanical ventilation support in the intensive care unit, on pain and physiological parameters.

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Key information

Conditions

Intensive Care Unit Patients Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kahramanmaraş

Kahramanmaraş, 46050, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Mechanical ventilation (MV), one of the most common treatment methods in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), is a critical treatment approach to ensure adequate respiratory function in patients.

Although mechanical ventilation is a life-saving treatment method in ICUs, it can cause many physiological and psychological problems for patients. Furthermore, excessive exposure to physical, psychosocial, and environmental stressors can affect the patient's autonomic response and vital parameters (tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea), leading to hemodynamic instability

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Integrated, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Practices as the provision of healthcare services that are not part of a country's own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant healthcare system In intensive care patients, non-pharmacological methods such as aromatherapy, music therapy, massage, reflexology, acupressure, and Reiki are used as complementary and alternative treatments. Su Jok, one of these non-pharmacological methods, is an alternative treatment method based on traditional Korean medicine. Su Jok is a treatment method that uses the feet and hands, derived from the Korean words Su (hand) and Jok (foot). In the literature, it is argued that nurses can apply Su Jok therapy as an integrative method in symptom management due to its simplicity of application, lack of side effects, and non-invasiveness, which is similar to the philosophy of integrative nursing. Looking at the literature, very few studies on Su Jok therapy have been found. No studies have been found in the literature regarding the effect of Su Jok therapy on intensive care patients and patients on mechanical ventilation support.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients who are in intensive care,
  • Patients receiving IMV support,
  • Patients who were admitted to the ICU from the start date of the study and are planned to be monitored for at least 24 hours,
  • Patients without any problems in the area where Su-Jok will be applied,
  • Patients with GCS > 3, RASS between +1 and +4, BPS > 3

Exclusion criteria

  • • Patients in the ward,
  • Patients with any problems such as fungal infections or wounds in the area where Su Jok will be applied,
  • Patients with a GCS of 3,
  • Patients not receiving IMV support will not be included in the study.

Treatment and study plan

su jok therapy group

Other

In the intervention group, the reflex zones on the hands were identified with a probe. Buckwheat seeds were fixed to these areas with adhesive tape and massaged. The seeds remained in place for 4 hours. After 2 hours, these areas were stimulated with a 1-2 minute massage. Measurements were recorded on a data collection form. The application was carried out for 3 days.

Placebo Group

Other

In the placebo group, reflex zones on the hand were identified using a probe. Buckwheat seeds were fixed to a different area near these zones with a seed patch and massaged. The seeds remained in place for 4 hours. After 2 hours, these areas were stimulated with a 1-2 minute massage. Measurements were recorded on a data collection form. The application was carried out for 3 days.

Primary outcomes

  1. Systolic Blood Pressure

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Hemodynamic response measured by systolic blood pressure

  2. Heart Rate (Pulse Rate)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Heart rate measured in beats per minute

  3. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Peripheral oxygen saturation

  4. Body Temperature

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Core body temperature

  5. Respiratory Rate

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Number of breaths per minute

  6. Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)

    Time frame: baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

    Negative scores indicate sedation, positive scores indicate agitation

  7. Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)

    Time frame: baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

    Higher scores indicate more severe pain

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hemodynamic Stability Index (Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure Change)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to post-intervention measurements.

  2. Oxygenation Trend (SpO₂ Change Over Time)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    hanges in peripheral oxygen saturation over the intervention period.

  3. Heart Rate Variability (Clinical Pulse Trend)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Changes in heart rate measured in beats per minute during and after intervention.

  4. Sedation-Agitation Level Stability (RASS Trend)

    Time frame: baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

    Changes in Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) scores over time indicating sedation or agitation level.

  5. Pain Intensity Change (Behavioral Pain Scale Trend)

    Time frame: baseline, 1 hour, 4 hours after intervention

    Changes in Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) scores indicating pain severity over time.

  6. Respiratory Stability (Respiratory Rate Change)

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    Changes in respiratory rate indicating respiratory stability during intervention.

  7. Temperature Stability

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes, 60 minutes, 4 hours after intervention

    hanges in body temperature over time following intervention.

  8. Non-pharmacological Intervention Effectiveness (Overall Clinical Stability Score)

    Time frame: baseline, 4 hours after intervention

    Composite assessment of physiological stability based on vital signs and sedation/pain scores.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hasan Kalyoncu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

THE EFFECT OF SU-JOK THERAPY APPLIED TO INTENSIVE CARE PATIENTS UNDER MECHANICAL VENTILATION SUPPORT ON PAIN AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS.

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 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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