Study on the Impact of Electroacupuncture Combined with Self-Acupressure on the Quality of Life of Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Launched by JIUDA ZHAO · Sep 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a combination of electroacupuncture and self-acupressure can improve the quality of life for patients with early-stage breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. Electroacupuncture uses electrical stimulation along with traditional acupuncture techniques, while self-acupressure allows patients to apply pressure to certain points on their bodies to help with symptoms. The goal is to see if these methods can help patients feel better during their treatment.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 18 and 75 years old, be scheduled to start at least four cycles of chemotherapy, and have good overall health. Some people may not be eligible if they have certain medical conditions, such as mental illnesses or bleeding disorders, or if they have had recent acupuncture treatment. If you join the study, you can expect to receive the treatment and complete some questionnaires about your experiences and how you're feeling. This trial is currently not recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into supportive care for breast cancer patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Aged 18 years or older and aged 75 years or younger, inclusive. with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2;
• • 2. Patients who have not received prior chemotherapy and are scheduled to receive at least 4 cycles of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy or combination targeted therapy;
• • 3. Normal organ function with platelets ≥ 100\*10\^9/ L, hemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L, serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dl (133 mmol/L), or creatinine clearance ≥ 60 ml/min, total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), alanine aminotransferase ≤ 2.5 times ULN, and aspartate aminotransferase ≤ 2.5 times ULN;
• • 4. Premenopausal women need appropriate contraception;
• • 5. Ability to understand the study well and complete the study questionnaire.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients with needle phobia or allergy to stainless steel needles; and
• • 2. Current diagnosis of mental illness (e.g., major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or schizophrenia);
• • 3. History of autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, or organ transplantation, or long-term use of hormones or immunosuppressants;
• • 4. Comorbid bleeding disorders or thyroid dysfunction;
• • 5. Implantation of a pacemaker; pregnancy or breastfeeding;
• • 6. A plan for adjuvant radiotherapy in the upcoming chemotherapy cycle;
• • 7. Current active infection;
• • 8. Acupuncture treatment within the last four weeks;
• • 9. Patients who are allergic to the drugs used;
• • 10. Use of other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques such as Chinese herbs in the next chemotherapy cycle.