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Auricular Acupuncture in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Pain
Multiple Myeloma
Fatigue
Depression
Interventions
Other: Auricular Acupuncture
Registration Number
NCT05762250
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital Tuebingen
Brief Summary

In the present study, the effect of ear acupressure treatment according to the NADA protocol on the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma (all stages) will be investigated. Furthermore, the effect of ear acupressure on anxiety and depression, pain, fatigue and sleep of the patients will be assessed.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
125
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult patients with multiple myeloma (all stages) on current therapy, who suffer from persistent disease- or therapy-associated symptoms and limitations (screening by distress thermometer, score ≥ 5)
  • Informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • medical reasons or
  • a mental condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, does not allow the patient to participate in the study,
  • a planned radiation therapy in the area of the skull (to avoid potential scattered radiation),
  • a missing legally binding signature on the informed consent form,
  • participation in another acupuncture/acupressure study.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Auricular AcupunctureAuricular AcupunctureIntervention group: Ear acupressure is performed on both ears with permanent pellets according to the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol over a period of 8 weeks (presentation at the study center 1x/week, application of the acupressure patches there; these remain on both ears for 5 days and should be massaged 3x/day by the patients themselves according to the instructions provided). In addition, patients receive a 30-minute psychoeducational talk at the first treatment appointment to promote their own health competence.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in disease-specific quality of life (FACT-MM)after 8 weeks (end of intervention)

The FACT-MM can depict a more comprehensive picture of the patient's health status and collects data on precisely those areas that are most important to the patient himself.

The diagnosis-specific subscale developed in this process assesses pain, fatigue, physical activity, emotional health, and cognitive abilities and represents the primary outcome parameter in this study.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of individual symptom burdenafter 8 weeks (end of intervention)

Individual symptom burden - patients are asked to rate their 3 most distressing symptoms on a Numerical Rating Scale.

Change of Fatigue12 weeks post-intervention

The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F) is a 13-item questionnaire designed to assess self-reported fatigue and its impact on daily activities and functions.

Change of pain12 weeks post-intervention

Improvement of pain (FACT-MM) questionnaire

Change of sleep disorders and sleep quality12 weeks post-intervention

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was developed as a standardized self-assessment questionnaire by the University of Pittsburgh to elicit quality of sleep using qualitative and quantitative questions at a 4-week interval

Change in anxiety and depressiveness12 weeks post-intervention

The four-item PHQ-4 is part of the PHQ-D, a health questionnaire for patients, and is composed of the PHQ-2, a two-item depression scale, and the GAD-2, a two-item anxiety scale.

Number of pateints with adverse eventsthrough study completion, an average of 3 Years

Tolerability of the application

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Robert Bosch Krankenhaus

🇩🇪

Stuttgart, Germany

University Hospital Wuerzburg

🇩🇪

Wuerzburg, Germany

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