Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture or Usual Care for Antiandrogen-Induced Hot fLashes in Prostate Cancer (AVAIL)

Launched by GUANG'ANMEN HOSPITAL OF CHINA ACADEMY OF CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCES · Sep 26, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called AVAIL, is studying whether acupuncture can help relieve hot flashes in men with prostate cancer who are receiving hormone therapy. Hot flashes can be a bothersome side effect of this treatment, and while some medications provide some relief, they can cause unpleasant side effects. The trial aims to see if acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative for managing these symptoms.

To participate in the study, men aged 18 to 75 who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are undergoing hormone therapy may be eligible if they experience three or more hot flashes daily for at least three days before joining the trial. Participants will receive either real acupuncture, a placebo treatment (sham acupuncture), or usual care, and they can expect to attend several sessions to see if their hot flashes improve. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it’s important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications may not qualify.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • patients aging from 18 to 75 years diagnosed with prostate cancer undergoing ADT;
• • with an average of 3 or more hot flashes a day for at least 3 days before enrollment and no other clinically significant disease;
• • not receiving any medications for hot flashes nor did they have a previous history of acupuncture treatment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • hormonal treatment other than GnRH analogue
• • daily treatment with psychotropic drugs
• • newly started or changed alternative medications with possible effects on flushes uncontrolled hypertension or metabolic disease
• • inability to move/lie on the side, and treatment with anticoagulants or pacemaker.