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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
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.
Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University
Erzincan, Turkey (Türkiye)
Dyspnea
Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Higher scores indicate greater dyspnea severity.
Time frame: Baseline and daily for 5 consecutive days, with post-intervention assessment on Day 5.
fatigue severity
fatigue severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the fatıgue Severity Index (ISI). Higher scores indicate greater fatıgue severity.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Day 5).
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