NCT07533097

The Effect of Applying Cold Gel Packs to the LI4 and SP6 Acupoints on Menopausal Hot Flashes and Depression in Women During the Climacteric Period

The Effect of Cold Packs on Hot Flushes and Depression in Women Going Through the Climacteric Period

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Rabia Atilla · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is planned as a pre-post test, randomised controlled, experimental trial designed to determine the effect of applying a cold gel pack to the LI4 and SP6 acupoints on hot flushes and depression in women during the climacteric period.

Detailed description

Hot flushes, a vasomotor symptom of the climacteric period, are a common problem experienced by many women. It has been reported that in women who experience prolonged and severe hot flushes, daily activities are adversely affected and quality of life is impaired. Although hot flushes are not a life-threatening symptom, they lead to both physiological and psychological changes in the body. The literature contains evidence regarding the benefits of acupressure and cold applications in the management of menopausal symptoms. However, no study has been found regarding the application of cold to acupoints. This study aims to determine the effect of applying a cold gel pack to the LI4 and SP6 acupoints on hot flushes and depression in women during the climacteric period. The study employs a pre-test post-test design, randomised controlled, experimental study design. The study is planned to be conducted between 13 April 2026 and 13 September 2026 with 80 women (intervention group n=40, control group n=40) who present to the gynaecology outpatient clinic of a foundation university hospital in Türkiye. Women in the intervention group will self-administer cold gel packs to the LI4 and SP6 acupoints three times a week for four weeks, totalling 12 sessions. Data will be collected using an informed consent form, the 'Perimenopausal Depression Assessment Scale' and the 'Menopause-Specific Hot Flash Scale'.

Conditions

• Hot Flashes
• Climactericum
• Perimenopausal Depression
• Cold Application
• Acupoints

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Cold gel packs application	The women will apply a cold gel pack to the SP6 and LI4 acupoints located on the right and left sides of the body, which have been marked with a permanent marker by a specialist researcher. Each session will last a total of 30 minutes: 15 minutes on the SP6 acupoints followed by 15 minutes on the LI4 acupoints.This treatment will be carried out three times a week for four weeks, comprising a total of 12 sessions.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-13
• Primary completion: 2026-09-13
• Completion: 2026-09-13
• First posted: 2026-04-16
• Last updated: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)