Acupoint Stimulation Improves Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Patients With Postdialysis

Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hemodialysis

Treatments: Device: Acupoint stimulation(placebo); Device: Acupoint stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06028685

2022-06-002B

Details and patient eligibility

About

Hemodialysis is a necessary treatment to prolong the lives of patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, long-term dialysis can lead to fatigue and decreased sleep quality. Acupoint stimulation can regulate meridians and improve physical function. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of low-level laser stimulation on fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients remains unclear.

This study is designed to use low-level laser stimulation as an intervention measure to evaluate its effectiveness in improving fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

Full description

Hemodialysis is a necessary treatment to prolong the lives of patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, long-term dialysis can lead to fatigue and decreased sleep quality. Acupoint stimulation can regulate meridians and improve physical function. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of low-level laser stimulation on fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients remains unclear.

This study is designed to use low-level laser stimulation as an intervention measure to evaluate its effectiveness in improving fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

The experimental group will receive low-level laser stimulation on seven acupoints, including Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taixi (KI3). The stimulation will be administered three times per week for a duration of six weeks. The control group will receive sham low-level laser stimulation on the acupoints, without emitting laser beams.

Before and after each intervention, fatigue will be measured using a visual analog scale for a total of 18 measurements. Additionally, at baseline and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks, the hemodialysis patients will be assessed using the Fatigue Scale for Hemodialysis Patients, Dialysis Recovery Time Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Dialysis Symptom Index, and Beck Depression Inventory.

Enrollment: 72 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults aged 20 years and above.
2. Diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and receiving regular outpatient hemodialysis three times a week for at least three months.
3. Conscious and capable of communication in Mandarin or Taiwanese (Hokkien).
4. Willing to participate in this study and have signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of skin lesions or infectious wounds at the acupoint locations.
2. Taking immunosuppressive medication.
3. Photosensitivity or sensitivity to light.
4. Individuals with implanted cardiac pacemakers.
5. Patients using sleep medication.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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72 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

experimental group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The experimental group will receive low-level laser stimulation on seven acupoints. The stimulation will be administered three times per week for a duration of six weeks.

Treatment:

Device: Acupoint stimulation

control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive sham low-level laser stimulation on the acupoints, without emitting laser beams.

Treatment:

Device: Acupoint stimulation(placebo)