NCT03641222

Group Versus Individual Acupuncture for Cancer Pain

A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Community (Group) Acupuncture to Individual Acupuncture to Alleviate Cancer Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 76 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Calgary · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Typically, in North America, acupuncture is performed on an individual basis. However, community acupuncture, also known as group acupuncture, is an emerging method of treating patients. Cancer patients, post-treatments were given acupuncture treatments to help alleviate pain, in a two-arm randomized trial.

Detailed description

Typically, in North America, acupuncture is performed on an individual basis. However, community acupuncture, also known as group acupuncture, is an emerging method of treating patients. Although the practice can vary, community acupuncture is performed in a group setting, typically with reclining chairs dispersed around a large room, and one practitioner treating up to six people per session. The outcomes of this this randomized controlled trial will allow the researchers to assess whether group acupuncture is a viable treatment option for people with cancer who are suffering from pain, especially those who are either resistant to or looking to avoid the side effects of opioids. Objectives Examine the efficacy of community acupuncture for alleviating cancer pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and distress when compared to individual acupuncture. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of community acupuncture compared to individual acupuncture.

Conditions

• Cancer
• Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Acupuncture	Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-10-02
• Primary completion: 2018-08-30
• Completion: 2018-09-30
• First posted: 2018-08-21
• Last updated: 2019-03-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada