Auricular Acupuncture and Hot Flashes During Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy

Launched by KLINIKEN ESSEN-MITTE · Apr 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of auricular acupuncture, a type of acupuncture that focuses on the ears, on hot flashes experienced by women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Hot flashes can be very uncomfortable and stressful, and this study aims to find out if acupuncture can help reduce their severity. Researchers will compare two different methods of ear acupuncture to see which one is more effective in improving hot flashes and overall quality of life, including factors like fatigue, stress, and sleep quality.

To participate in this study, women aged 27 to 74 who have been diagnosed with non-metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and are currently receiving hormone therapy may be eligible. Participants should be experiencing hot flashes and must agree to take part in the trial by signing a consent form. It's important to note that women who are currently undergoing other cancer treatments, are pregnant, or have certain medical conditions may not qualify. If you join the study, you can expect to receive acupuncture treatments and complete some questionnaires about your experiences and health.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • histologically confirmed diagnosis of non-metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast CA (TNM stage I-III) under adjuvant endocrine therapy
• • hot flashes, measured with the MRS (Menopause Rating Scale)
• • willingness to participate in the study and signed informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • ongoing or planned chemotherapy, radiotherapy, follow-up treatment or reconstructive plastic surgery during the study period
• • severe physical or psychopharmacologically treated psychiatric comorbidity, due to which a patient is unable to participate in the study
• • pregnancy
• • participation in other clinical trials with behavioural, psychological or complementary medicine, psychological or complementary medical interventions
• • regular use of barbiturates, antidepressants, abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
• • ongoing acupuncture treatment
• • lack of ability to complete the questionnaires independently
• • operations or infections in the area to be acupunctured