Combined Acupressure Effects on Post-Thoracotomy Pain and Lung Volume (NCT07411417) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Combined Acupressure Effects on Post-Thoracotomy Pain and Lung Volume
Turkey (Türkiye)80 participantsStarted 2025-01-06
Plain-language summary
Pain is a subjective, sensory and emotionally unpleasant experience resulting from real or hidden injuries in tissues. The pain experience is a subjective and unique experience in physiological and psychological terms and is the first negative sensory experience of the patient after the surgical procedure. Thoracotomy is an invasive surgical incision that causes severe postoperative pain due to the negative effect on the ribs, muscles and peripheral nerves. During thoracic surgery, anatomical lung resection is performed through posterolateral thoracotomy. Surgical incision during thoracotomy surgery is the most severe cause of postoperative pain. Epidural analgesia, peripheral nerve block and systematic treatment methods are used in post-thoracotomy pain management. Opioid use is frequently preferred in post-thoracotomy pain management. Although thoracotomy pain can mostly be controlled with opioid analgesics, excessive use of opioids may lead to respiratory suppression, constipation, suppression of cough, nausea, vomiting and many other possible side effects. Ineffective postoperative pain management may lead to postoperative complications such as increased cardiac workload, prolonged pulmonary rehabilitation and delayed wound healing. The use of holistic non-drug pain relief methods is vital in reducing the need for opioid analgesics and the risk of possible side effects in early postoperative pain management.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Underwent thoracotomy
* Undergoing thoracic surgery for the first time
* Classified as ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology) physical status I, II and III
* Presence of a drain upon admission to the intensive care unit
* Conscious, oriented, and cooperative
* Provided verbal and written informed consent after receiving information about the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Intubated
* Persistent anxiety before the surgery
* Diagnosed with panic disorder
* Chemotherapy within the last 6 months
* Diagnosed psychiatric illness or mental health problems
* Presence of edema
* Intraoperative or postoperative complications
* Non-Turkish speaking, or presence of hearing or visual impairment
* Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30
* Participation in another clinical trial during the study period
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain after thoracotomy
Timeframe: The patient's visual analogue scale pain score (VAS) at 2, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery,