Using a stress ball to reduce nausea, anxiety, and fatigue in stomach cancer patients
The Effect of Stress Balls on Nausea, Anxiety, and Fatigue in Patients With Stomach Cancer
This study will try using a stress ball during chemotherapy to see if it reduces nausea, anxiety, and fatigue in adults with stomach cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Yuzuncu Yil University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 2 sites (Van, Tuşba and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07540169 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with stomach cancer who are receiving chemotherapy will be asked to use a hand-held stress ball during treatment sessions. Researchers will observe changes in self-reported anxiety, nausea, and fatigue before and after use using standardized symptom questionnaires and simple clinical observations. Participants must be 18–80 years old and have adequate hand-arm coordination and motor skills to use the device; those with motor impairment or who withdraw will be excluded. The study is run at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Institute of Health Sciences and focuses on whether a low-cost tactile tool can provide symptom relief during chemotherapy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18–80) with stomach cancer who are receiving chemotherapy, can use their hands normally, and are willing to participate.
Not a fit: Patients with significant motor impairment, those not receiving chemotherapy, or those who withdraw from the protocol are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the stress ball could offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce chemotherapy-related nausea, anxiety, and fatigue.
How similar studies have performed: Similar tactile-distraction and simple relaxation interventions have shown modest benefits for anxiety or nausea in small studies, but evidence specifically in stomach cancer is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18-80 * Those who agree to participate in the study * Those without motor skill loss * Patients diagnosed with stomach cancer * Patients with hand-arm orientation skills Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with loss of motor skills * Patients who wish to withdraw from the study
Where this trial is running
Van, Tuşba and 1 other locations
- Institute of Health Sciences — Van, Tuşba, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
- Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Institute of Health Sciences — Van, Tuşba, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Yavuz Uren
- Email: yavuzuren@yyu.edu.tr
- Phone: 90505 596 10 50
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.