Table 2

Details of study arms and interventions

Intervention componentTrue SA groupSham SA groupUsual care group
Acupressure interventionAcupoints11 selected acupoints (7 of the selected acupoints are bilateral)36 11 non-acupoints (located 1–3 cm away from the acupoints used in the true SA group but away from the meridians)–
TechniqueRegular pressing evoking ‘Deqi’ sensationLight pressing without ‘Deqi’ sensation–
FrequencyDaily, 2 min for each acupoint–
Session36 min–
Total durationSeven weeks–
Home learning packages

  • Demonstration video for true acupressure

  • Chart of 11 selected acupoints

  • Demonstration video for sham acupressure

  • Chart of 11 non-acupoints

–
Component of usual careAn updated education booklet for FSDSC management based on the current evidence

  • FSDSC, fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster; SA, somatic acupressure.