The SIESTA trial - a randomized Study Investigating the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Acupressure versus sham therapy for improving sleep quality in patients with end-stage kidney disease on haemodialysis

INTERVENTION: Participants in the experimental group will receive acupressure therapy on Shen Men (HT7) and Yongquan (K11). The acupressure therapy will be delivered thrice weekly for four consecutive weeks during their routine HD/HDF sessions. The therapy time at each acupoint will last for 3 minutes each and the applied intensity will depend on the patient’s individual tolerance level. CONDITION: end‐stage kidney disease sleep problem with patients on maintenance haemodialysis PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary objective of the Study is to determine whether the acupressure therapy delivered over 4 weeks during thrice weekly HD/HDF sessions can decrease the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Patient acceptability assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire ; Quality of life assessed using (Short Form)‐8 Health Survery ; Side effects (i.e, the local skin reaction from acupressure) will be recorded in Form AE (adverse event). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants must meet ALL of the following INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. On maintenance HD for at least 3 months, 2. 3 HD/HDF sessions per week 3. Aged over 18 years 4. No plans to change mode of renal replacement therapy within the study period (4 weeks) 5. Able to provide informed consent 6. Able to complete patient questionnaire in English independently 7. Self‐reported history of poor sleep quality