NCT02803736

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 20 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This multicenter placebo-controlled trial focuses on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on breast-cancer related lymphedema. 200 participants will be recruited, and randomized in two groups: the real acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group.

Detailed description

In the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (BCRL) is classified as "edema", and is considered to be caused by qi (chi) deficiency and blood stagnation. Acupuncture, as an ancient therapy in TCM, is thought to have the efficacy to stimulate the transformation of qi and drainage of dampness, and is widely used for various diseases including edema in China. Early clinical trials as well as our own clinical observation have demonstrated that acupuncture can ameliorate limb swelling and decrease lymphedema. However, no randomized placebo-controlled trial has been performed to evaluate this efficacy of acupuncture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of acupuncture to treat chronic upper-limb lymphedema.

Conditions

• Breast Cancer
• Lymphedema
• Acupuncture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	acupuncture	Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through skin at strategic points on human body. Many Western practitioners view the acupuncture as a device to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue, and believe that it can increases blood flow.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-12-01
• Primary completion: 2019-10-01
• Completion: 2019-12-01
• First posted: 2016-06-17
• Last updated: 2016-11-23