Electroacupuncture for Cognitive Toxicity in Cancer Survivors: Assessing Implementation, Cost, and Effectiveness for Integration

NCT07583979 | Not Yet Recruiting Phase 3

• 1 other identifier: 2026-0516
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 168
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and understand the biological mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) in reducing cognitive toxicity among cancer survivors. The study aims are:

• To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a 10-week EA regimen targeting neuropsychiatric-related acupoints in reducing cognitive toxicity among cancer survivors in Singapore.
• To explore the biological mechanisms underlying EA's effects on cognitive function.
• To assess the early implementation of EA for managing cognitive toxicity in cancer survivors. Researchers will compare results from the true EA arm, sham EA arm and waitlist control arm, to see if electroacupuncture can help improve cognitive issues related to cancer and its treatment, how it may work, and what factors may affect how it is delivered in cancer care. Participants will:
• Be assigned to either of the 3 arms (true EA, sham EA, waitlist control)
• Received 10 EA sessions (if assigned to true or sham EA arm)
• Complete 3 study assessment visits at baseline, Week 13, and Week 17
• Be invited to a one-time interview to share their study experience (optional, if selected)

Conditions

Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

Electroacupuncture; Acupuncture; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment; Cognitive Toxicity; Oncology; Survivor

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Objective cognitive function - multitasking

  Assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) Multitasking Test, a computerized cognitive testing software. Score ranges from 0-160, with a lower score reflecting better performance. Clinically significant improvement is defined as a Reliable Change Index (RCI) exceeding 1.96 from baseline in at least one out of five tests (including this Multitasking Test).

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Objective cognitive function - learning and memory

  Assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) Paired Associates Learning Test, a computerized cognitive testing software. Score ranges from 0-70, with a lower score reflecting better performance. Clinically significant improvement is defined as a Reliable Change Index (RCI) exceeding 1.96 from baseline in at least one out of five tests (including this Paired Associates Learning Test).

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Objective cognitive function - sustained attention

  Assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) Rapid Visual Information Processing Test, a computerized cognitive testing software. Score ranges from 0-1, with a higher score reflecting better performance. Clinically significant improvement is defined as a Reliable Change Index (RCI) exceeding 1.96 from baseline in at least one out of five tests (including this Rapid Visual Information Processing Test).

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Objective cognitive function - response speed

  Assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) Reaction Time Test, a computerized cognitive testing software. Score ranges from 100-5100 ms, with a lower score reflecting faster reaction time. Clinically significant improvement is defined as a Reliable Change Index (RCI) exceeding 1.96 from baseline in at least one out of five tests (including this Reaction Time Test).

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Objective cognitive function - working memory

  Assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) Spatial Working Memory Test, a computerized cognitive testing software. Score ranges from 0-153, with a lower score reflecting better performance. Clinically significant improvement is defined as a Reliable Change Index (RCI) exceeding 1.96 from baseline in at least one out of five tests (including this Spatial Working Memory Test).

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

Secondary Outcomes (14)

• Subjective cognitive function

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Fatigue

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Symptom burden

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Work productivity

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

• Health utility

  Baseline, 13 weeks after baseline, and 17 weeks after baseline.

Study Arms (3)

True electroacupuncture arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Each participant will receive 10 electroacupuncture treatment sessions over the course of 10-12 weeks.

Device: True electroacupuncture

Sham electroacupuncture arm

SHAM COMPARATOR

Each participant will receive 10 sham electroacupuncture sessions designed to mimic treatment without therapeutic stimulation over the course of 10-12 weeks.

Device: Sham electroacupuncture

Waitlist control arm

NO INTERVENTION

Each participant will continue to receive usual care, but will not receive electroacupuncture or other acupuncture treatments.

Interventions

True electroacupuncture DEVICE

Electroacupuncture is administered at 13 predefined acupoints: Shenting (GV24), Baihui (DU20), Sishencong (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), and Taichong (LIV3, bilateral.

True electroacupuncture arm

Sham electroacupuncture DEVICE

Electroacupuncture is administered at predefined non-disease related acupoints: Pianli (LI6) bilateral, Wenliu (LI7) bilateral, Futu (ST32) bilateral, Xiajuxu (ST39) bilateral, Daheng (SP15) bilateral, and Jiaosun (TE20) bilateral.

Sham electroacupuncture arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Survivor participants
• Aged 21-85 years
• Documented cancer diagnosis in electronic health records
• Perceived by the survivor or oncology care provider that cognitive function has worsened since cancer diagnosis and/or beginning of cancer treatment
• Able to understand English or Mandarin
• Able to provide informed consent
• Stakeholder participants
• Aged ≥21 years
• Identified as having a relevant role, experience, or perspective relating to the delivery, referral, coordination, or implementation of EA or supportive cancer care in the study context
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Survivor participants
• Presence of brain metastases
• Severe needle phobia
• Known bleeding disorder (e.g. hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia).
• Current use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran)
• Known blood-borne communicable disease (e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus)
• Presence of a pacemaker or other electronic implant, or a history of epilepsy
• Current acupuncture treatment or acupuncture received within the past 3 months
• Current pregnancy, planned pregnancy over the next 5 months, or breastfeeding.
• Incapable of providing informed consent
• Unable to complete study procedures
• Stakeholder participants
• Incapable of providing informed consent
• Unable to complete study procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Centre, Singapore: lead
• Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

National Cancer Center Singapore

Singapore, 168583, Singapore

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms

Study Officials

• Yu KE, PhD

  National Cancer Centre, Singapore

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Yu KE, PhD

CONTACT

+65 66836174; ke.yu@nccs.com.sg

Benton PT TAM, MSc

CONTACT

benton.tam.p.t@nccs.com.sg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 3
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a randomized, sham- and waitlist-controlled trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2026
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 13, 2029
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SG (1)