Background: Medical trainees frequently experience sleep disturbances, with shift work being a major contributing factor impacting their performance and overall wellbeing. Traditional treatments for sleep disorders often involve medications and hypnotics with potential side effects, highlighting the need for alternative strategies. Acupressure, particularly at the P6 (Neiguan) point, has shown promise in improving sleep and reducing anxiety. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of wristband acupressure applied to the P6 point in improving sleep quality, anxiety levels, and overall well-being among medical trainees. Methods: A single-blinded, cross-over randomized controlled trial was conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), involving 10 medical trainees. Participants were randomized in blocks to either the intervention group, receiving wristband acupressure at the P6 point, or the control group, receiving acupressure at a sham point. Standardized, validated questionnaires were used to assess sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (GAD-7), and well-being (WHO-5) before and after each intervention period. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board, and participant confidentiality was maintained
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
The intervention group received standardized instructions for applying the wristband to the P6 acupressure point on their wrist, with daily application scheduled from 8 pm to 8 am. Those who have night shifts will be asked to apply the wrist band for 12 hours after the end of their shift the intervention was applied for 30 days. At the end of the first phase the participants will be asked to avoid applying the wrist band for 7 days, to allow a washout period before crossing over.
the control group will receive standardized instructions to apply the wristband to a sham point, with daily application from 8 pm to 8 am. Those who have night shifts will be asked to apply the wrist band for 12 hours after the end of their shift. This will occur for 30 days. At the end of the first phase the participants will be asked to avoid applying the wrist band for 7 days, to allow a washout period before crossing over.
American university of Beirut
Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.
Time frame: 1 month
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7): Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater severity of anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: 1 month
World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5)
World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5): Raw scores range from 0 to 25 and are multiplied by 4 to give a percentage score from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better well-being.
Time frame: 1 month
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