Sinop Merkez

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Reiki therapy on patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a common surgery for degenerative joint diseases. Despite the surgery's goal to improve mobility and quality of life, patients often face severe pain, limited movement, and vital sign changes within the first 72 hours after surgery. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess Reiki's impact on postoperative pain, mobilization, and vital signs compared to routine postoperative care. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Reiki group or a control group. The Reiki group will receive three sessions of standardized Reiki therapy at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery, each lasting about 30-45 minutes and administered by a certified practitioner. Reiki will involve gentle touch or hands positioned just above the body at specific energy centers and the knee and foot areas. The control group will receive usual postoperative care without Reiki. Throughout the study, pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale before and after each Reiki session. Researchers will also assess patient mobilization levels, monitor vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, and record analgesic use and timing. These evaluations will occur at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. The trial will last during the hospital stay, focusing on recovery in the early postoperative period.

This research aims to explore the immediate effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive electrical stimulation applied through the outer ear, on lung function in healthy adults aged 18 to 40. The vagus nerve plays a role in many automatic body functions, and stimulating its auricular branch may influence respiratory and autonomic systems. The study focuses on whether a single brief session of this ear-based stimulation can cause short-term changes in breathing test results in people without lung disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the active taVNS group receiving bilateral stimulation on ear areas linked to the vagus nerve, or the sham group receiving similar device setup but minimal stimulation to reduce vagal activation. Each stimulation session lasts about 10 minutes, with the intensity adjusted to a clearly noticeable but comfortable level. Both groups will undergo standard lung function tests (spirometry) immediately before and after the stimulation session. Heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood pressure may also be monitored during the visit. During a single laboratory visit, participants will perform spirometry tests measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) before and after stimulation. Physiological responses and safety will be tracked throughout. The study evaluates changes in these lung function measures from before to after stimulation within the same session. Participation is voluntary, with minimal risk and possible mild side effects like tingling or mild ear discomfort. The results could provide insight into how brief ear-based vagus nerve stimulation might affect respiratory function.