JNCR

The mission of the journal is to contribute to the development of nursing science and care practices in Turkey and internationally. It is also to promote and disseminate new knowledge and research data for evidence-based care practices at all levels of nursing services. The Journal of Nursing Care Research deals with Fundamentals of Nursing, Internal Medicine Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Child Health and Diseases Nursing, Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Public Health Nursing and Management in Nursing and accepts articles on these topics.

Index
Review
Effectiveness of Su Jok therapy as a complementary approach in postoperative symptom management in surgical nursing: a review
Postoperative symptom management is a key responsibility in surgical nursing. In addition to pharmacological methods, complementary and alternative therapies have emerged as effective approaches to support recovery. Su Jok therapy, based on Korean hand and foot microsystems, is a non-invasive complementary method aligned with holistic nursing philosophy. This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of Su Jok therapy on postoperative symptom management in the context of surgical nursing. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in seven databases between January 2010 and August 2024 using the keywords “Su Jok therapy,” “surgical nursing,” “postoperative care,” and “complementary and alternative therapies.” A total of 41 records were identified; after applying inclusion criteria, 20 studies were included. Among them, four were randomized controlled trials. Findings indicate that Su Jok therapy is effective in reducing symptoms such as pain, nausea-vomiting, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Its safety, low cost, and ease of application support its integration into nursing care. However, most existing evidence is based on small samples. Therefore, large-scale, multi-center randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate its effectiveness and establish clinical guidelines.


Albert, M. (2018). Study of the effects of Su Jok in patients with impaired posture. Varna Medical Forum, 7, 284-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.14748/vmf.v7i0.6618
Ay, F. (2018). Postoperatif ağrı tedavisine nonfarmakolojik uygulamalar: sistematik derleme (2000-2015 doktora tez sonuçları, Türkiye). Ağrı Dergisi, 30(2), 71-83. https://doi.org/10.5505/agri.2018.28247
Bölükbaş, N., & Irmak, B. (2020). Ameliyatım bitti şimdi başka sorunlarım var: kanıta dayalı uygulamalar ile postoperatif semptom yönetimi. Turkiye Klinikleri Surgical Nursing-Special Topics,6(1), 40-49.
Chen, T., Zhang, W. W., Chu, Y. X., & Wang, Y. Q. (2020). Acupuncture for pain management: molecular mechanisms of action. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 48(4), 793-811. https://doi.org/10.1142/S01 92415X20500408
Çoban, N., & Göktaş, S. (2025). The effect of Su Jok on pain, anxiety, and quality of recovery after lumbar disk surgery. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2025. 05.002
Cruz, J. C. P., Matos, A. M. S., Castaigne, Y. F., & Pérez, A. M. P. (2018). Su Jok therapy for cervicalgia treatment. Correo Científico Médico de Holguín, 24(4), 549-558.
Elmali Şimşek, H., Ecevi, T., & Alpar, Ş. (2022). The effect of aromatherapy and Su Jok interventions on post-cesarean pain. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101642
Gül, A., Cengiz Açıl, H., & Aygin, D. (2022). Minimal invaziv cerrahide güncel yaklaşımlar. Selçuk Sağlık Dergisi, 3(1), 79-104.
Güneş, D., & Yılmaz Karabulutlu, E. (2025). The effects of Su Jok therapy on pain, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting experienced by patients with gastrointestinal system cancer: a randomized trial. Holistic Nursing Practice, 39(2), 78-86. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000713
Gür, S., Öztekin, S. D., Öztekin, İ., & Yalçin, O. (2025). The effects of Korean hand acupressure on postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, and retching after thyroidectomy. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 40(4), 997-1006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2024.11.003.
Huber, J. C. T., Despaigne, O. L. P., García, C. J. G., & Díaz, R. C. G. (2016). Effectiveness of Su Jok therapy in patients with pain due to heel spur. Medisan, 20(10), 5009-5017.
Intansari, N., Prasetya, F. E., & Nurlaela, L. (2024). Su Jok as an alternative therapy to reduce dyspnea in patients with respiratory problems. International Journal of Current Research and Review, 16(5), 92-98. https: //doi.org/10.31782/IJCRR.2024.16519
Kaur, J., & Singh, A. (2015). Revisiting reflexology: concept, evidence, current practice. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 9(3), 140-145. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7168.166372
Korkut Bayındır, S., & Biçer, S. (2019). Holistik hemşirelik bakımı. İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(1), 25-29.
Larki, M., Karimi, L., Jahanfar, S., Mohammadi, S., & Makvandi, S. (2025). Unveiling the latest evidence: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis and GRADE assessment on the effectiveness of acupressure in managing labor pain. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25(1), 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04908-9
Li, J., & Fang, J. (2023). Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia mediated by afferent fibers. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1239839. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1239839
Mehta, P., Dhapte, V., Kadam, S., & Dhapte, V. (2016). Contemporary acupressure therapy: adroit cure for health care. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7(2), 251-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtc me.2016.05.004
Oliva, G. B., Orduño, A. C., Portuondo, H. R., Monier, B. Z., & López, B. F. (2017). Su Jok therapy in patients with hydrosalpinx diagnosis. Medisan, 21(7), 819-825.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https: //doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Park, J. W. (1987). The Su Jok correspondence system: micro-projection of the human body on the hands and feet. Korean Journal of Acupuncture, 4(2), 35-42.
Park, J. W. (1991). Su Jok Acupuncture. Su Jok Academy Publishing.
Rodríguez, A. C., Mendoza, Y. A., García, E. F. C., & Castañeda, Y. T. (2018). Su Jok therapy in patients with cervicalgia diagnosis. Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud, 9(3), 42-49.
Torés, N. H., Amaral, A. M. S., Mesa, P. G. V., & Alonso, N. M. A. (2011). The use of Su Jok in the scapulohumeral periarthritis in an integral rehabi litation room. Mediciego, 17(1).
Wang, X. Y., Wang, H., Guan, Y. Y., Cai, R. L., & Shen, G. M. (2021). Acupuncture for functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 36(11), 3015-3026. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.15645
Whatley, J., Perkins, J., & Samuel, C. (2022). Reflexology: exploring the mechanism of action. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 48, 101606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101606
World Health Organization. (2023). Patient safety: Surgical safety.
Yagil, Z. (2019). Su Jok therapy for the treatment of fatigue and weakness among oncologic patients. Quaderno, 14(23), 51-69.
Yagil, Z., & Pathak, D. M. (2021). Su Jok therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. National Journal of Integrated Research in Medicine, 12(6), 81-85.
Zhang, Q., Zhou, M., Huo, M., Si, Y., Zhang, Y., Fang, Y., & Zhang, D. (2023). Mechanisms of acupuncture electroacupuncture on inflammatory pain. Molecular Pain, 19, 17448069231202882. https://doi.org/10.1177/17448069231202882
Volume 3, Issue 1, 2026
Page : 23-28
_Footer