MeTime Acupressure

Name: MeTime Acupressure
Author: University of Michigan

University of Michigan

CLINICAL GRADE

Validated in clinical trials · Initial evidence

For:General Public & EnthusiastsPatients & Caregivers

Free

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

App Summary

MeTime Acupressure is an intervention app that teaches cancer survivors how to perform daily self-acupressure to manage persistent fatigue. A randomized clinical trial (N=288) in breast cancer survivors found that after six weeks of daily practice, over 60% of participants in two different self-acupressure groups achieved normal fatigue levels, compared to just 31% in the usual care group. The associated research concludes that self-administered acupressure offers a possible low-cost option for managing symptoms, with relaxing acupressure also significantly improving sleep and quality of life.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan, MeTime Acupressure delivers a pedagogical protocol for self-administered acupressure to manage cancer-related fatigue. The system instructs users on the location and stimulation of specific acupoints. Daily sessions involve applying pressure to 5-7 points for up to three minutes each, consistent with the underlying clinical trial protocol. The interface is structured to guide users through a six-week program designed for sustained symptom management and improved sleep quality.

Evidence & Research Context

A randomized clinical trial (N=288) of breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue evaluated the self-acupressure protocol upon which the app is based.
After six weeks of daily practice, 61-66% of participants in the acupressure arms achieved normal fatigue levels, compared to 31% in the usual care arm.
The relaxing acupressure protocol also demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quality and overall quality of life compared to usual care.
The app's methodology is grounded in traditional Chinese medicine principles, with mechanistic studies suggesting acupressure may influence brain connectivity related to sleep and alertness.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed for cancer survivors as an adjunct self-management tool for persistent fatigue. Its primary utility is to deliver a structured, evidence-based, non-pharmacologic intervention. The tool does not provide medical advice or replace professional oncological care. Users should consult their healthcare provider to determine if this technique is appropriate for their individual treatment plan.

Studies & Publications

3 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Investigating Self-Acupressure for Fatigued Ovarian Cancer Survivors

Zick et al. (2019) · Defense Technical Information Center

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

It has been significant accomplishment to have finalized the AcuWand design, had a logo competition for the AcuWand and have achieved approval by the University of Michigan Regents to release the funds to Arbor Medical Innovations to manufacture the AcuWands. The first ten AcuWands have been manufactured and we are now doing quality control testing on them to ensure durability as well as accuracy and repeatability of downloaded data. We have

Non-Evaluative Reference

Acupressure for Cancer Related Fatigue

Zick et al. (2018) · The ASCO Post

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

Difficult-to-treat, cancer-related fatigue is a common, distressing clinical issue. It impedes daily activities, severely affecting patients' quality of life. Compounding the problem is a lack of consensus on an effective pharmacologic intervention. Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves stimulation of specific acupoints on the body or in the ear to relieve chronic pain symptoms, including those associated with

In the Media

Brain Imaging Study Shows How Acupressure Fights Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

University of Michigan researchers used MRI brain imaging to examine how two types of acupressure affect fatigue in breast cancer survivors, marking the first neuroimaging study of its kind. "What is intriguing about this manuscript is that it shows that the two types of acupressure â stimulating and relaxing â do appear to work via different mechanisms within the brain despite the fact that they both reduced fatigue," says study author Suzanna Zick. The double-blind study examined 19 female breast cancer survivors, focusing on connections between the brainstem and default mode network.

MichiganmedicineRead article

Acupressure Reduces Fatigue in Diagnosed Women

Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial with 270 breast cancer survivors to test whether self-administered acupressure could reduce persistent cancer-related fatigue, with participants performing daily treatments for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, 66.2% of women in the relaxing acupressure group and 60.9% in the stimulating acupressure group achieved normal fatigue levels, compared to only 31.3% in the usual care group. The research was published in JAMA Oncology in July 2016.

BreastcancerRead article

Acupressure reduced fatigue in breast cancer survivors

University of Michigan researchers developed MeTime Acupressure to help breast cancer survivors reduce persistent fatigue, using traditional Chinese medicine techniques that patients can perform at home. The study published in JAMA Oncology found acupressure reduced fatigue by 27 percent to 34 percent over six weeks, with two-thirds of women achieving normal fatigue levels through relaxing acupressure. "Acupressure is easy to learn and patients can do it themselves," says study author Suzanna Zick, who notes that participants needed only 15 minutes of training to accurately locate pressure points.

ScienceDailyRead article