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Acupuncture in chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia – a randomized controlled trial – AcuDysg

Phase 4
Conditions
chemotherapy-induced-dysgeusia caused by one of the following cancer types: breast, ovarian, endometrial, pancreas, colorectal, lung, prostate cancer, urothelial carcinoma, germ cell tumor or sarcoma and lymphomas
Registration Number
DRKS00023348
Lead Sponsor
Institut für komplementäre und integrative Medizin UniversitätsSpital Zürich
Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Complete
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
22
Inclusion Criteria

indication of supportive routine care acupuncture treatment for fatigue, with a fatigue intensity of at least 3 on a numeric rating scale (NRS 1-10)
- dysgeusia of at least 5 on NRS (=moderate dysgeusia, NRS 1-10) in the screening tool (adapted from Zabernigg A. et al., 2010)
- actually treated with a chemotherapy regime that includes taxanes, platinum-based antineoplastic drugs or antrazyclins
- chemotherapy treatment is planned to continue at least 8 weeks after beginning of acupuncture treatment
- breast, ovarian, endometrial, pancreas, colorectal, lung, prostate cancer, urothelial carcinoma, germ cell tumor or sarcoma
- lymphomas with bone marrow infiltration <50% that are under treatment with antrazyclins
- performance status of ECOG 0-1
- can eat normal food without pain or swallowing problems
- internet access and interested to use e-learning

Exclusion Criteria

- currently receive acupuncture treatment
- dysgeusia that occurred independently of the chemotherapy treatments of the current cancer
- confirmed positive COVID-19 test with associated dysgeusia prior to chemotherapy treatment
- increased risk of bleeding e.g. caused by haemophilia or platelets<50000 µl
- coexisting MDS
- don’t speak sufficient German
- mucositis and dysgeusia with an impact on nutrition (pain or swallowing problems)
- currently receiving or have a planned radiotherapy during the intervention period (within the next 12 weeks) in the head/neck area

Study & Design

Study Type
interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Perceived dysgeusia over 8 weeks, calculated as the mean from two patient reported items on taste, each measured on a numeric rating scale from 1-10 weekly directly after each acupuncture treatment.
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Taste and smell test, at 4 and 8 weeks; weight loss, at 4 and 8 weeks; perceived dysgeusia, fatigue, distress, nausea and vomiting, odynophagia, xerostomia and polyneuropathy (diary), with daily measures over 8 weeks and after 12 and 24 weeks; quality of life, at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks.
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