Acupressure in Reducing Post-TBI Fatigue

Taipei Medical University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fatigue

Treatments: Behavioral: Acupressure

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04429126

109059-E

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 81 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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81 participants in 3 patient groups

4-point acupressure group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Acupressure

4 -point acupressure group

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Acupressure

Usual care

No Intervention group

Description:

The usual care group will be required to maintain their daily activities. Weekly telephone follow-up will be conducted by principle investigator.