Self-Acupressure and Social Jet Lag in Female Health Sciences Students

Official title

Effects of Self-Acupressure on Social Jet Lag, Sleep Patterns, and Sleep Quality in Female Health Sciences Students: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial

Overview

This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on social jet lag, sleep patterns, and sleep quality in female health sciences students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be performed daily for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period, with the primary outcome being the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and participant blinding assessment.

Detailed description

Social jet lag, defined as the misalignment between biological circadian rhythms and socially imposed schedules, is highly prevalent among university students and is associated with impaired sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and adverse health outcomes. Female students in health sciences programs may be particularly vulnerable due to academic workload and irregular schedules. Non-pharmacological, self-administered interventions that can be easily integrated into daily routines may offer a practical approach to improving sleep-related outcomes in this population.

This study is a randomized, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of a 12-week self-acupressure intervention on social jet lag and sleep-related outcomes. Eligible participants are female health sciences students who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. Both groups receive standardized training and apply their respective protocols daily for the same duration and frequency.

The experimental intervention consists of self-administered acupressure applied to predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang) using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. The sham intervention is matched in duration, frequency, and pressure but is applied to non-acupoint locations not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points. This design aims to control for nonspecific effects such as attention, expectation, and tactile stimulation.

Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention period. The primary outcome is the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, sleep pattern parameters, and assessment of participant blinding success. Blinding effectiveness is evaluated by asking participants to guess their group assignment at follow-up.

The study is conducted under minimal risk conditions, and all participants provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.

Interventions

• Other Self-Acupressure Intervention
  Participants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (HT7, SP6, and Yintang). Training is provided face-to-face at baseline. Participants are instructed to apply acupressure daily at home using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure. Each session is performed according to the study protocol for a total duration of 12 weeks.
• Other Sham Self-Acupressure
  Participants receive structured training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in frequency, session duration, and pressure. Sham acupressure is applied daily at non-acupoint locations that are not recognized as therapeutic acupressure points, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure, for a total duration of 12 weeks.

Primary outcome measures

• Change in Social Jet Lag (ΔSJL) [Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12 (end of 3-month follow-up); primary analysis uses change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)]

Secondary outcome measures (3)

• Participant blinding assessment (treatment guess) [Time frame: At 1 month and 3 months after baseline]
• Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score [Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)]
• Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score [Time frame: Baseline (T0) and Week 12; change from baseline to Week 12 (T12 - T0)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Female undergraduate students enrolled in midwifery or medical programs
• Age 18 to 25 years
• Regular academic schedule (work/school days and free days identifiable)
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
• Ability to comply with daily self-acupressure practice for 12 weeks
• Ability to complete sleep questionnaires and sleep diary

Exclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of a sleep disorder requiring medical treatment (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
• Use of medications known to significantly affect sleep or circadian rhythms (e.g., hypnotics, stimulants)
• Shift work or night work during the study period
• Transmeridian travel (≥2 time zones) within the past 4 weeks or planned during the study period
• Chronic medical or psychiatric condition that may significantly affect sleep
• Current pregnancy

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Double blind

Primary purpose

Other

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center

• Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital — Niğde

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07410936 · 22504254-050.04/18-60

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗