Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Dyspnea, Fatigue Symptom
Conditions
Keywords
dyspnea, Fatigue symptom, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, sujok
Brief summary
As the disease progresses, dyspnea and fatigue may increasingly interfere with daily activities, reduce patients' independence, and negatively affect their quality of life. Therefore, in addition to pharmacological treatment, there is a need for safe and supportive interventions to help alleviate these symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Su Jok therapy on dyspnea and fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the potential role of Su Jok therapy as a complementary intervention for symptom management. The results may contribute to improving patients' symptom control and quality of life while providing healthcare professionals with evidence to support clinical decision-making and nursing care.
Detailed description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation and symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue, which substantially impair patients' functional capacity and quality of life. Although pharmacological treatment is the cornerstone of COPD management, complementary non-pharmacological interventions may provide additional benefits in symptom control. Su Jok therapy is a complementary therapy based on the stimulation of corresponding points on the hands and feet. It has been proposed as a simple, non-invasive, and low-cost intervention that may help reduce symptom severity and improve patient well-being. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients with COPD is limited. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of Su Jok therapy on dyspnea and fatigue in patients with COPD. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving Su Jok therapy in addition to routine care or a control group receiving routine care alone. Dyspnea and fatigue will be assessed using validated measurement instruments before and after the intervention. The primary objective is to determine whether Su Jok therapy provides additional benefits in reducing dyspnea and fatigue compared with routine care alone. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base regarding complementary therapies in COPD management and to support evidence-based nursing practice.
Interventions
OTHERSu Jok Therapy
Su Jok therapy was administered by the researcher once daily for five consecutive days in addition to routine COPD care. The intervention involved stimulation of predefined Su Jok correspondence points on the hands according to the study protocol. Each session was performed using standardized procedures to ensure consistency throughout the study.
Sponsors
Erzincan Binali Yildirim Universitesi
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18 years or older. * Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). * Able to communicate verbally. * Expected to remain hospitalized for at least 5 days to ensure completion of the intervention. * No major health condition other than COPD that could adversely affect activities of daily living (e.g., open wounds, cancer, or gastrointestinal disorders). * Provided written informed consent to participate in the study. * A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 3 or higher for dyspnea and fatigue.
Exclusion criteria
* Declined or were unable to provide written informed consent. * Unable to communicate verbally. * Conditions preventing the application of Su Jok therapy to the hands, including neuropathy, amputation, open wounds, or other hand disorders.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dyspnea | Baseline and daily for 5 consecutive days, with post-intervention assessment on Day 5. | Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Higher scores indicate greater dyspnea severity. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fatigue severity | Baseline and post-intervention (Day 5). | fatigue severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the fatıgue Severity Index (ISI). Higher scores indicate greater fatıgue severity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed