Electroacupuncture for the Management of Symptom Clusters in Cancer Patients and Survivors

NCT05283577 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 20216732
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is a sham-controlled, patient and assessor-blinded pilot trial to evaluate the feasibility of administering EA as an intervention for symptom clusters in cancer patients and survivors, and to evaluate the degree that EA could reduce symptom clusters and the possible underlying mechanisms through examining its influence on biomarkers that are linked with the symptoms. Participants will be randomized to either the treatment arm (those who will receive EA) or the control arm (those who will receive sham-EA). The treatment period for both groups will be 10 weeks. There will be one study visit a week over the course of the 10-week treatment period, for a total of 10 study treatment visits. Participants in the treatment arm will receive EA at 13 standardized acu-points that have been chosen for their therapeutic effects. Participants in the control arm will receive electrical stimulation at non-disease acu-points. There will be four data collection time points for each participant: (1) baseline, (2) mid-treatment (5 weeks from baseline), (3) end of treatment (10 weeks from baseline), and (4) 4 weeks after end of treatment (14 weeks from baseline). At each of these timepoints, 10mL of peripheral blood will be collected for a biomarker analysis and participants will be asked to complete 4 questionnaires and a computerized cognitive test to evaluate their cognitive function, fatigue level, insomnia, psychological distress, and quality of life. An optional neuroimaging procedure will be available to all eligible participants. In total, study participation will last for 14 weeks.

Conditions

Cancer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Subjective Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog version 3)

  All subjects will complete the FACT-Cog version 3 questionnaire to assess self-perceived subjective cognitive function. FACT-Cog is a validated questionnaire containing 33 items in the domains of concentration, functional interference, mental acuity, memory, multitasking and verbal fluency. Total score is calculated by summing scores from all the items and ranges from 0-148, and higher scores represent better subjective cognitive functioning.

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

Secondary Outcomes (25)

• Objective Cognitive Function (CANTAB®,)

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

• Fatigue (MFSI-SF)

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

• Psychological Distress and Insomnia (RSCL)

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

• Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-30)

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

• Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L)

  All the mean scores will be compared before acupuncture and 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline for EA and sham-EA control groups. The mean score changes will also be compared between the EA and sham-EA control groups at 5, 10 and 14 weeks after baseline.

Study Arms (2)

Treatment Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Each participant will attend a total of 10 treatment visits (one visit per week), over the course of 10 weeks. Each EA session will be approximately 1 hour. Participants in the treatment arm will receive EA at 13 standardized acu-points that were chosen for their therapeutic effects.

Other: Electroacupuncture

Control Arm

SHAM COMPARATOR

Each participant in the control arm will attend a total of 10 treatment visits (one visit per week), over the course of 10 weeks. Participants in the control arm will receive electrical stimulation at non-disease related acu-points for approximately 1 hour per session.

Other: Sham-Electroacupuncture

Interventions

Electroacupuncture OTHER

EA at 13 standardized acu-points that were chosen for their therapeutic effects: Shenting (GV24), Baihui (DU20), Sinshencong (EX-HN1), Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6) bilateral, Shenmen (HT7) bilateral, Zusanli (ST36) bilateral, Sanyinjiao (SP6) bilateral, Taixi (KI3) bilateral, Zhaohai (KI6) bilateral, Hegu (LI4) bilateral, Taichong (LIV3) bilateral

Treatment Arm

Sham-Electroacupuncture OTHER

Non-disease related points with electrical stimulation: Pianli (LI6) bilateral, Wenliu (LI7) bilateral, Fuyang (BL59) bilateral, Kunlun (BL60) bilateral, Sanyangluo (TE8), Sidu (TE9) bilateral, Daheng (SP15) bilateral

Control Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients diagnosed with cancer that have received anti-cancer treatment
• years of age or older
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• Complaints of one or more of the following symptoms: memory impairment/attention deficit, fatigue, insomnia, depression, or anxiety over the past 7 days

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of metastasis
• Severe needle phobia
• Severe psychiatric or medical disorders which would affect cognitive assessments
• Known bleeding disorder (e.g. hemophilia, Von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia)
• Has pacemaker or other electronic metal implants
• Epilepsy
• Already receiving acupuncture therapy or received acupuncture treatment in the past 3 months.
• Breastfeeding, pregnant or are planning get pregnant during the study period
• \- Has any contraindications to fMRI including metal fragments/implants in the body, sever claustrophobia, and non-removable metal orthodontic braces, metallic retainers and oral wires.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Irvine: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCI Health Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Irvine, California, 92697, United States

Location

Related Publications (10)

• Janelsins MC, Heckler CE, Peppone LJ, Kamen C, Mustian KM, Mohile SG, Magnuson A, Kleckner IR, Guido JJ, Young KL, Conlin AK, Weiselberg LR, Mitchell JW, Ambrosone CA, Ahles TA, Morrow GR. Cognitive Complaints in Survivors of Breast Cancer After Chemotherapy Compared With Age-Matched Controls: An Analysis From a Nationwide, Multicenter, Prospective Longitudinal Study. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Feb 10;35(5):506-514. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.68.5826. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

  PMID: 28029304 BACKGROUND

• Ng T, Dorajoo SR, Cheung YT, Lam YC, Yeo HL, Shwe M, Gan YX, Foo KM, Loh WK, Koo SL, Jain A, Lee GE, Dent R, Yap YS, Ng R, Chan A. Distinct and heterogeneous trajectories of self-perceived cognitive impairment among Asian breast cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2018 Apr;27(4):1185-1192. doi: 10.1002/pon.4635. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

  PMID: 29315963 BACKGROUND

• Cheung YT, Ng T, Shwe M, Ho HK, Foo KM, Cham MT, Lee JA, Fan G, Tan YP, Yong WS, Madhukumar P, Loo SK, Ang SF, Wong M, Chay WY, Ooi WS, Dent RA, Yap YS, Ng R, Chan A. Association of proinflammatory cytokines and chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: a multi-centered, prospective, cohort study. Ann Oncol. 2015 Jul;26(7):1446-51. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdv206. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

  PMID: 25922060 BACKGROUND

• Toh YL, Tan CJ, Yeo AHL, Shwe M, Ho HK, Gan YX, Foo KM, Chu P, Olson K, Chan A. Association of plasma leptin, pro-inflammatory adipokines and cancer-related fatigue in early-stage breast cancer patients: A prospective cohort study. J Cell Mol Med. 2019 Jun;23(6):4281-4289. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.14319. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

  PMID: 31016867 BACKGROUND

• Cheung YT, Shwe M, Chui WK, Chay WY, Ang SF, Dent RA, Yap YS, Lo SK, Ng RC, Chan A. Effects of chemotherapy and psychosocial distress on perceived cognitive disturbances in Asian breast cancer patients. Ann Pharmacother. 2012 Dec;46(12):1645-55. doi: 10.1345/aph.1R408. Epub 2012 Dec 18.

  PMID: 23249868 BACKGROUND

• Liou KT, Root JC, Garland SN, Green J, Li Y, Li QS, Kantoff PW, Ahles TA, Mao JJ. Effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy on cognitive function in cancer survivors with insomnia: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Cancer. 2020 Jul 1;126(13):3042-3052. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32847. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

  PMID: 32320061 BACKGROUND

• Zhang ZJ, Man SC, Yam LL, Yiu CY, Leung RC, Qin ZS, Chan KS, Lee VHF, Kwong A, Yeung WF, So WKW, Ho LM, Dong YY. Electroacupuncture trigeminal nerve stimulation plus body acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: An assessor-participant blinded, randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Aug;88:88-96. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.035. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

  PMID: 32305573 BACKGROUND

• Tong T, Pei C, Chen J, Lv Q, Zhang F, Cheng Z. Efficacy of Acupuncture Therapy for Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients. Med Sci Monit. 2018 May 8;24:2919-2927. doi: 10.12659/MSM.909712.

  PMID: 29735975 BACKGROUND

• Zeng Y, Cheng ASK, Song T, Sheng X, Wang S, Xie J, Chan CCH. Effects of Acupuncture on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Gynecological Cancer Patients: A Pilot Cohort Study. Integr Cancer Ther. 2018 Sep;17(3):737-746. doi: 10.1177/1534735418777109. Epub 2018 May 26.

  PMID: 29806502 BACKGROUND

• Xie L, Ng DQ, Heshmatipour M, Acharya M, Coluzzi P, Guerrero N, Lee S, Malik S, Parajuli R, Stark C, Tain R, Zabokrtsky K, Torno L, Chan A. Electroacupuncture for the management of symptom clusters in cancer patients and survivors (EAST). BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023 Mar 27;23(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-03926-9.

  PMID: 36973688 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Combined Modality Therapy; Therapeutics; Acupuncture Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia; Anesthesia

Study Officials

• Alexandre Chan, PharmD

  UCI

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Founding Chair and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy

Model Details: This is a randomized sham-controlled, patient and assessor-blinded pilot trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2022
• First Posted: March 17, 2022
• Study Start: April 15, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)