The Effect of Self-Acupressure on Blood Pressure, Stress, and Well-Being Levels in Individuals With Hypertension

NCT07577973 — Not applicable, Not yet recruiting, 72 participants, Abant Izzet Baysal University

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The Effect of Self-Acupressure on Blood Pressure, Stress, and Well-Being Levels in Individuals With Hypertension: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Registry	NCT07577973, acronym SAPH
Status	Not yet recruiting
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, supportive care
Enrollment	72 (Estimated)
Sponsor	Abant Izzet Baysal University (Other)
Conditions	PRIMARY HYPERTENSION
Interventions	Real Acupressure, sham acupressure, Usual Care (Behavioral, other)
Dates	start 2026-06-01 (estimated), primary completion 2026-09-01 (estimated), completion 2026-10-01 (estimated), first posted 2026-05-11, last updated 2026-05-14
Locations	1 site in Turkey (Türkiye)

-Summary

This randomized controlled trial examines the effects of nurse-led self-acupressure at HT7, LI4, PC6, and EX3 points on blood pressure, stress, and well-being in adults with primary hypertension. Participants are randomized to real acupressure, sham acupressure, or usual care groups for 2 weeks.

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+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Real Acupressure Group	Experimental	Behavioral: Real Acupressure	participants receive acupressure on bilateral HT7,LI4,PC6 EX3 points. pressure applied for 15 seconds per point, 3 days per week, for 2 weeks
sham/placebo	Sham comparator	Behavioral: sham acupressure	Participants receive sham acupressure on non-acupoints located 1-1.5 cm away from HT7, LI4 , PC6, and EX3 points. Pressure applied for 15 seconds per site, 3 days per week, for 2 weeks to maintain participant blinding
control	Active comparator	Other: Usual Care	Participants receive usual care for hypertension including prescribed antihypertensive medications and routine clinical nursing follow-up for 2 weeks. No acupressure intervention applied.

Real Acupressure (Behavioral): Acupressure applied to HT7 (Shenmen), LI4 (Hegu), PC6 (Neiguan) bilaterally, and EX3 (Yintang). Pressure applied for 15 seconds per point, 3 days per week for 2 weeks by trained researcher. Total session duration approximately 1 minute.
sham acupressure (Behavioral): light pressure applied to non-acupoint sites 1-1.5 cm from HT7İLI4,PC6 and EX3 points for 15 seconds per site,3 days per week for 2 weeks
Usual Care (Other): Standard hypertension management including prescribed antihypertensive medication and routine clinical nursing follow-up for 2 weeks. No acupressure applied.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

change in blood pressure [baseline and week 2]: change from baseline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using an automated office blood pressure monitor at 2 weeks

Secondary outcomes

change in perceived stress [baseline, week 2]: Change from baseline in Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) total score at 2 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress
change in mental well-being [baseline, week 2]: Change from baseline in Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) total score at 2 weeks. Scores range from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating better mental well-being

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18-65 years
2. Diagnosed with primary hypertension (Stage 1 or 2)
3. Systolic blood pressure 130-179 mmHg or diastolic 80-109 mmHg
4. Taking antihypertensive medication
5. Able to understand and communicate in Turkish
6. Willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Secondary hypertension
2. Pregnancy or lactation
3. Severe cardiovascular disease (heart failure, myocardial infarction within 6 months)
4. Stroke history within 6 months
5. Skin lesions or infection at acupressure sites (HT7, LI4, PC6, EX3)
6. Peripheral neuropathy affecting sensation
7. Current use of anticoagulant therapy
8. Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
A Family Health Center in Duzce	Düzce	Turkey (Türkiye)

+Investigators

Saadet Can Cicek, Associate Professor,PhD, Principal investigator, Abant Izzet Baysal University