Efficacy of Wrist Acupressure Band on Sleep Quality in Medical Trainees

NCT ID: NCT06978855

Last Updated: 2025-05-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-11
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-30

Brief Summary

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

Conditions

Sleep; SLEEP DISTURBANCES Nec in ICD9CM; Anxiety

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

intervention

this group will be assigned to apply the wrist band at the intervention acupressure point studied

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Wrist band acupressure application to P6 point

Intervention Type: DEVICE

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.

control

this group will be assigned to apply the wrist band to a sham point

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Wrist band acupressure application to sham point

Intervention Type: DEVICE

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.

Interventions

Wrist band acupressure application to P6 point

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.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Wrist band acupressure application to sham point

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.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Residents, Fellows and Med-4 students at AUB.

Exclusion Criteria

• Being enrolled in another sleep study
• Currently on Sleep Medications: Benzodiazepines, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, magnesium supplements, herbal supplements that help with sleep including Chamomile, Ashwaghanda and Melatonin
• Daily alcohol consumers

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

American University of Beirut Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Georges Assaf

Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

American university of Beirut

Beirut, Beyrouth, Lebanon

Countries

Lebanon

Other Identifiers

SBS-2024-0323

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id