Usefulness of Acupuncture in Cancer Pain and Quality of Life

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cancer; Pain
• Interventions: Device: Acupuncture

• Registration Number: NCT00401063
• Lead Sponsor: Southern California University of Health Sciences

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of acupuncture on aspects of health including pain, energy level, sleep quality, activities of daily living and appetite.

Detailed Description

After receiving permission from the attending physician each study participant who meets the inclusion criteria will then undergo a physical examination and fill out several questionnaires. Each participant will undergo one to three treatments per week for a period of eight weeks. There will be one follow-up visit on the twelfth week. Participation in this study is free of charge, including all exams, treatment and informational material.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2006-09
• Study First Submitted: 2006-11-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-11-15
• Study First Posted: 2006-11-17
• Primary Completion: 2007-08
• Study Completion: 2007-10
• Status Verified: 2013-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-05-28
• Last Update Posted: 2013-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 11

Inclusion Criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of cancer by an MD/oncologist
• Age of 18 or older
• Baseline pain score of 3 or above on 0-10 rating scale
• In the evaluation of the treating physician or medically-qualified investigator, the patient's pain syndrome is the result of underlying cancer or cancer treatment
• Being ambulatory
• Permission from the treating physician (MD/oncologist)
• Platelet count of 50,000 or greater

Exclusion Criteria

• Acupuncture treatment in past four weeks
• Neutropenia defined as ANC (absolute neutrophil count) < 1000/ml
• Inability to obtain permission from the treating physician
• Unwillingness to sign informed consent form
• Involvement in litigation
• Simultaneous infection with HIV or Hepatitis C virus
• Unable to present for follow up

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Single arm	Acupuncture	Acupuncture treatment

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
EORTC QLQ-30 Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer Patients	Every two weeks, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12
Visual Analogue Scale	Every two weeks, 0,2,4,6,8, and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
BDI Psychological Assessment	Every two weeks, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University Health Center; 🇺🇸 Pasadena, California, United States

Southern California University of Health Sciences; 🇺🇸 Whittier, California, United States