NCT04917796

The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Nerve Pain Caused by Chemotherapy (Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy)

A Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment (ACT)

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 255 (actual)
• Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial of electroacupuncture (referred to as EA) versus sham acupuncture (referred to as EA) as effective treatments for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) pain in cancer survivors.

Detailed description

During the study, patients will be randomized to one of the two possible acupuncture treatment groups and receive 10 treatments over the course of 8 weeks and then enter a follow-up period. Acupuncture is a medical technique that involves insertion of very thin needles into specific areas on the body with the goal of promoting health and well-being. EA involves adding a very small amount of electricity through the acupuncture needles (electrical stimulation). Researchers have found that EA can increase the effects of regular acupuncture, and it is particularly helpful for treating different kinds of pain. The purpose of this study is to learn if EA can improve CIPN pain in cancer survivors, and if it is effective against other CIPN-related symptoms.

Conditions

• Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy
• Nerve Pain
• Neuropathy
• Neuropathy, Painful
• Pain
• CIPN - Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Electroacupuncture	Real and sham acupuncture will be delivered by experienced licensed acupuncturists. The intervention includes 10 treatments of acupuncture over 8 weeks (i.e., twice per week for two weeks, then one treatment per week for six weeks).
OTHER	Sham Acupuncture	Real and sham acupuncture will be delivered by experienced licensed acupuncturists. The intervention includes 10 treatments of acupuncture over 8 weeks (i.e., twice per week for two weeks, then one treatment per week for six weeks).

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-05-21
• Primary completion: 2026-04-24
• Completion: 2026-04-24
• First posted: 2021-06-08
• Last updated: 2026-01-30

Locations

6 sites across 1 country: United States