Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common condition in newborns and is frequently treated with phototherapy. In addition to standard treatment, non-pharmacological interventions such as massage and foot reflexology may help reduce bilirubin levels and improve physiological stability and stress in newborns.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology and body massage on total serum bilirubin levels, physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature), and stress levels in neonates receiving phototherapy.
A total of 105 newborns will be randomly assigned to three groups: foot reflexology, body massage, and control group. Interventions will be applied before phototherapy sessions, and outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for the use of non-invasive complementary methods in reducing bilirubin levels and improving clinical outcomes in newborns.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Days – 10 Days
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:
* Neonates whose parents/legal guardians have signed the informed consent form and agreed to participate in the study
* Neonates born between 34 and 41 weeks of gestation
* Birth weight of 2500 g or above
* Not mechanically ventilated
* No nasogastric tube
* Stable vital signs
* No elevated acute phase reactants during phototherapy treatment
* Indirect bilirubin level between 12 and 28 mg/dL at admission to the neonatal intensive care unit
* Not receiving antibiotic treatment during the study
* Aged between 2 and 10 days
* No health problems other than indirect hyperbilirubinemia.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presence of any neurological anomaly
* Presence of any congenital anomaly
* Jaundice due to ABO incompatibility
* Jaundice due to Rh incompatibility
* Presence of dermal anomalies
* Diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia within the first 24 hours after birth
* Diagnosis of direct hyperbilirubinemia
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
Total Serum Bilirubin Level
Timeframe: Immediately before and immediately after each phototherapy session.