Therapeutic Touch and Acupressure on Depressive Symptoms

Therapeutic touch intervention Participants in the therapeutic touch group received eight sessions over four weeks (two sessions per week), with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. The intervention was conducted by a researcher trained in therapeutic touch following a standardized protocol. The session began with a centering phase lasting approximately 2-3 minutes, during which the practitioner focused attention through controlled breathing and mental concentration. This was followed by an energy field assessment lasting approximately 5-7 minutes, during which the practitioner held the hands 5-10 cm above the body without direct contact and slowly moved from the head toward the feet to assess the energy field. The final phase consisted of energy balancing lasting approximately 10-12 minutes, during which slow and rhythmic hand movements were used to promote balance in the participant's energy field. Acupressure intervention Participants in the acupressure group also received eight sessions over four weeks (two sessions per week). During each session, pressure was applied to three acupressure points for two minutes each, resulting in a total active stimulation time of six minutes. Including short preparation and resting periods before and after the intervention, the total session duration was approximately ten minutes. The acupressure points used in this study were Yintang (EX-HN3), Shenmen (HT7), and Neiguan (PC6). Yintang is located on the midline between the medial ends of the eyebrows and is commonly used for calming and stress reduction. Shenmen (HT7) is located on the inner wrist crease on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and is associated with emotional regulation. Neiguan (PC6) is located on the inner forearm approximately three fingerbreadths proximal to the wrist crease between the palmaris longus and flexor carpiradialis tendons and is associated with regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Pressure was applied using the thumb with mild-to-moderate intensity in rhythmic circular movements. HT7 and PC6 points were stimulated bilaterally, whereas Yintang was stimulated unilaterally. If a participant reported discomfort during the procedure, the pressure intensity was reduced.

NCT Number	NCT07532512
Lead Sponsor	Osmaniye Korkut Ata University
Conditions	Depressive Symptoms Mild to Moderate in Severity
Enrollment	156 participants
Start Date	2025-11-03
Primary Completion	2026-01-10 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-01-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-04-20