The Effect of Acupressure on Spirometry Indicators and Functional Exercise Capacity in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

To determine the effect of acupressure on spirometry indicators and functional exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This research study is a randomized triple-blinded clinical trial with parallel groups. The three groups will be similar in age and gender. For placement of the samples in the three intervention groups, placebo and the routine care group (control), a simple random method will be used. The sample size was estimated by the results of the studies and the sample size formula was estimated to be 40 in each group.

The patients of the intervention and Placebo group will be selected from the Pulmonary clinic of Imam Sajjad Hospital, Ramsar. The control group will be selected from the Pulmonary clinic of Shahid Rajaei Tankabon Hospital. The data will be collected by the interview method. In this study, the participants are blinded to the study groups.

Inclusion criteria: full consciousness, ability to walk independently, Absence of allergies, Non-smoking, ability to sleep in the prone position. Exclusion criteria: exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Acute respiratory disease

In the intervention group, four points were selected including Dingchuan point EX.17, UB.13 Feishu point, UB.23 Shenshu point and St.36 Zusanli point,Then acupressure will be done for 3 minutes, 3 times a week and for 4 weeks. In the placebo group, acupressure will be performed at a distance of 1.5 centimeters from the main points. In the control group, routine care will be taken and there will be no intervention.

Spirometric indicators, Functional exercise capacity

A randomized controlled trial with patients and evaluators blinded to the group allocation. A total of 120 participants with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease will be randomly assigned into one of three groups: one intervention group (acupressure), one control group; and one placebo group. The eligible people will be in the study groups by a randomization process. The random allocation of this study will be achieved using an online random number generator (randomization.com) following a balanced 1:1 pattern. The information on the allocation list will remain strictly confidential and sequentially numbered; opaque, sealed envelopes will be used to contain the randomization assignments. The Acupressure Specialist will open the envelopes according to the numerical sequence, immediately before the first session of treatment

Patients will remain blinded regarding the category of their allocation throughout the study data collection period. Additionally, the evaluators responsible for the data collection and the outcomes assessor will also be blinded to the patient allocation. The Acupressure Specialist will be the only person not blind to the type of treatment to be performed

The data will be shared with the Ethics Committee of the Babil University of Medical Sciences after the analysis in the text of the article and the report of the end of the work.

7 months

Only the research team and the Ethics Committee of the Babil University of Medical Sciences have access to raw data.

Increased clinical application of the study results

Refer to the administrator and address of Fatemeh Zahra Faculty of Nursing, Ramsar

The request must be submitted to the administrator's email address and the submitter, after consulting and consulting with the research team, will refer the request to the university's ethics committee and, upon receipt of the approval of the ethics committee, will provide the applicant with the data.