Acupressure in Reducing Post-TBI Fatigue

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Fatigue
• Interventions: Behavioral: Acupressure

• Registration Number: NCT04429126
• Lead Sponsor: Taipei Medical University

Brief Summary

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior works have demonstrated that it may profoundly impact the ability to return to productive activity and cognitive functions. However, few interventions have been applied in this population.The purpose of the current will be to test the effect of acupressure on fatigue reduction after traumatic brain injury.

Detailed Description

Fatigue is a pervasive and critical long-lasting symptom experienced by patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can persist up to months or years after head injury. However, thus far, only few non-pharmacological interventions, such as mindfulness, are implemented in reducing fatigue in TBI survivors. Prior works have suggested that acupressure can significantly improve fatigue in different populations, such as cancers survivors and patients with hemodialysis. Therefore, we would like to test whether acupressure effectively improve fatigue after TBI.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2020-06-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-06-10
• Study First Posted: 2020-06-12
• Study Start: 2020-07-01
• Primary Completion: 2021-11-18
• Study Completion: 2021-12-31
• Status Verified: 2022-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-01-30
• Last Update Posted: 2022-02-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 81

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed with traumatic brain injury over 6 months with initial GCS (admitted GCS) from 3-12.
• Aged between 20-65 years
• Are able to communicate in Chinese and Mandarin
• Are able to complete the questionnaires
• Complain of tiredness and cannot be restored even after a rest.
• No physical disability and visual impairment

Exclusion Criteria

• With skin lesion
• had diagnosis of neuropathy and paraesthesia prior to study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
4-point acupressure group	Acupressure	The 5-point acupressure group will be instructed on the following acupressure points: sanyinjiao (SP6), Zu San Li (ST36), shenmen (TF4), Yongquan (KI-1), and He Gu (LI4). Bilateral 1.5 min for each point, three times daily for 4 weeks.
4 -point acupressure group	Acupressure	The 2-point acupressure group will be instructed on the following acupressure points: He Gu (LI4) and Tai Chong (LV3). Bilateral 1.5 min for each point, three times daily for 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fatigue	4 weeks	Self-reported feeling of tiredness, is measured by the Chinese version of The Mental fatigue Scale (MFS, higher scores indicate greater mental fatigue) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI, higher score indicates more fatigue)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Brain waves	4 weeks	measured by the NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2
Attention function	4 weeks	The function will be measured by using the Trail Making Test
Heart rate variability	My ECG E3-8010	We will measure HRV parameter using the device of My ECG E3-8010
Memory function	4 weeks	The function will be measured by using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
Sleep quality	4 weeks	Sleep quality will be assessed by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hsiao-Yean Chiu; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan