Acupressure in Reducing Post-TBI Fatigue

Taipei Medical University81 enrolled

Overview

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.

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 Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Fatigue

Interventions

AcupressureBEHAVIORAL

Two types acupressure interventions, 5-point and 2-point acupressure groups, will be conducted in the current study.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Locations (1)

Hsiao-Yean Chiu

Taipei, Taiwan

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Fatigue

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)

Time frame: 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Memory function

The function will be measured by using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

Time frame: 4 weeks

Attention function

The function will be measured by using the Trail Making Test

Time frame: 4 weeks

Heart rate variability

We will measure HRV parameter using the device of My ECG E3-8010

Time frame: My ECG E3-8010

Brain waves

measured by the NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2

Time frame: 4 weeks

Sleep quality

Sleep quality will be assessed by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Time frame: 4 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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