Effectiveness of Manual Acupuncture for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation

Launched by INDONESIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether manual acupuncture can help patients with head and neck cancer who are receiving combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment (called chemoradiation). The researchers want to see if acupuncture can improve patients’ white blood cell counts, which are important for fighting infections, and reduce cancer-related tiredness (fatigue). They also want to find out if acupuncture can improve overall quality of life during this tough treatment.

Adults with head and neck cancer who have finished initial chemotherapy and are starting chemoradiation may be eligible to join. To participate, patients need to be generally healthy enough, with good mental function and normal oxygen levels, and not have serious other illnesses or blood problems. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture or a fake version (sham acupuncture) three times a week for seven weeks. The acupuncture will target specific points on the body, and patients will be checked weekly for changes in blood counts, fatigue levels, and quality of life. This study is not yet open for enrollment but aims to find out if acupuncture can be a helpful support during cancer treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) based on histopathological examination, who have completed induction chemotherapy and are scheduled to undergo radiotherapy.
• • Subjects aged ≥18 years.
• • Subjects willing to participate in this study and provide written informed consent.
• • Subjects with a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24.
• • Subjects with oxygen saturation ≥95% on room air.
• • Subjects with stage III or IVA cancer.
• • Subjects receiving a radiation dose of 66-70 Gy.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects with severe comorbidities such as chronic kidney failure, metastatic liver cirrhosis, or heart disease.
• • Subjects currently undergoing other therapies that may affect leukocyte counts, such as immunomodulatory therapy or high-dose corticosteroid use.
• • Subjects who are still smoking or consuming alcohol.
• • Subjects with blood clotting disorders or those currently taking anticoagulants, confirmed by laboratory results: neutrophils \<1,000/mm³, platelets \<25,000/mm³, INR \>2.0, or partial thromboplastin time \>20 seconds.
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.