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Electroacupuncture for the Management of Symptoms Clusters in Cancer Patients and Survivors

Alexandre Chan


A Study On:

  • Rectum
  • Prostate
  • Lip, Oral Cavity and Pharynx
  • Esophagus
  • Small Intestine
  • Anus
  • Bones and Joints
  • Stomach
  • Larynx
  • Thyroid
  • Breast
  • Kaposi's Sarcoma
  • Liver
  • Other Female Genital
  • Colon
  • Pancreas
  • Other Digestive Organ
  • Lung
  • Unknown Sites
  • Other Respiratory and Intrathoracic Organs
  • Other Skin
  • Cervix
  • Corpus Uteri
  • Ovary
  • Other Male Genital
  • Kidney
  • Other Urinary
  • Eye and Orbit
  • Mycosis Fungoides
  • Urinary Bladder
  • Other Endocrine System
  • Melanoma, Skin
  • Soft Tissue
  • Ill-Defined Sites

Status:

  • Open

Eligibility

18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Official Title

Electroacupuncture for the Management of Symptom Clusters in Cancer Patients and Survivors (EAST): A Feasibility Study

Details

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of offering electroacupuncture as an intervention to improve cancer-related symptoms (cognitive impairment, fatigue, psychological distress and insomnia) and quality of life among cancer patients and survivors receiving care at UCI Health. In addition, changes in biomarkers (plasma BDNF, pro-inflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial DNA) known to be associated with cancer-related symptoms. We hypothesize that EA is an effective, safe, and feasible intervention for cancer patients and survivors.

Our specific aims are as follows:

To compare the efficacy of EA versus sham-EA control in reducing cognitive toxicity, fatigue, psychological distress, insomnia and quality of life.

To evaluate the impact of EA versus sham-EA control on biomarkers, including circulating BDNF, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha), mitochondrial DNA (oxidative stress indicator), and safety.

To assess the feasibility of administering EA to manage symptom clusters in cancer patients.


Eligibility

You can join if...

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients diagnosed with cancer that have received anti-cancer treatment within the past one year
  • Greater than or equal to 18 years of age
  • Life expectancy greater than or equal to 6 months
  • Complaints of two or more of the following symptoms (fulfilling the definition of a symptom cluster): memory impairment/attention deficit, fatigue, insomnia, depression, or anxiety over the past 7 days
  • Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of metastasis
  • Severe needle phobia
  • Psychiatric or medical disorders which would affect cognitive assessments, such as, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, a history of any neurological condition, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and the use of psychotropic medication
  • Known bleeding disorder (e.g. hemophilia, Von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia)
  • Has pacemaker or other electronic metal implants
  • Epilepsy
  • Already receiving acupuncture therapy or received acupuncture treatment in the past 3 months.
  • Breastfeeding, pregnant or are planning get pregnant during the study period

Get in touch with our study team