Feasibility of Auricular Acupressure for Appetite and Weight in Patients With Stage II-IV Gastric, Esophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Jun 12, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment called auricular acupressure, which involves placing small adhesive pellets on specific points of the outer ear. Researchers want to see if this method can help patients with stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer improve their appetite and manage weight loss, which is a common issue for cancer patients. Weight loss can happen due to a decreased appetite and other side effects from treatment, so finding ways to boost appetite is very important for maintaining health and quality of life.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be between 18 and 65 years old and have a diagnosis of stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer. They should have a low appetite and be able to attend four in-person treatment sessions and perform four self-applied treatments at home. Participants will receive guidance on how to use the acupressure pellets and will be monitored throughout the study. This treatment is safe and non-invasive, making it a promising option for patients dealing with the challenges of cancer-related appetite loss.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18-65 years of age
• • Stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer
• • Appetite score on visual analog scale ≤ 70/100
• • At least 60 days of planned systemic treatment, whether already initiated or scheduled to be initiated
• • Access to phone and electronic device for study contacts and questionnaires
• • Willing and able to attend 4 in-person auricular acupressure treatments at the Fred Hutch South Lake Union Clinic
• • Willing and able to perform 4 at-home self-applied treatments of auricular acupressure
• • Participants must not have received acupressure or acupuncture for low appetite within last 30 days
• • Participants must not be actively using corticosteroids, mirtazapine (Remeron), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or Marinol for appetite stimulation at baseline
• • Participants must be able to intake food orally and not require sole or supplemental intravenous nutrition at baseline
• • Participants must not have a history of physiological eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa) in the last 3 years
• • Participants must not have a current known or diagnosed immunodeficiency
• • Participants must have an intact auricular pinna
• • Able to understand and willing to sign written informed consent in English