NCT07079072

Acupuncture for Lung Cancer-Related Fatigue

The Effects of Acupuncture for Lung Cancer-Related Fatigue, a Clinical Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in alleviating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among lung cancer survivors. It addresses the key issue of limited high-quality evidence for acupuncture's effect on CRF by rigorously comparing real acupuncture against a non-penetrating sham needle control in 120 eligible participants. Patients will be centrally randomized (1:1), blinded, and receive 12-session treatment over 4 weeks. Participants will complete treatment and attend follow-up visits up to week 16, and repeatedly complete fatigue (BFI-C, MFI-20), psychological (PHQ-9, GAD-7, FCRI), functional (CWSAS), and sleep (ISI) assessments.

Conditions

• Lung Cancer

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Acupuncture	The main acupoints include Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongwan (CV12), Shangyintang (EX-HN3), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), bilateral Zusanli (ST36), bilateral Hegu (LI4), and bilateral Taichong (LR3). The patient adopts a supine position, and after disinfecting the acupoints, sterile cotton pads are affixed to secure needles. In the experimental group, filiform needles measuring Φ0.30×40mm are inserted into the skin to a depth of 0.5-1 cun, achieving "De Qi" sensation. Needles are retained for 30 minutes. At each acupoint (except Shangyintang), manual stimulation including lifting, thrusting, twisting, and plucking is performed once every 10 minutes. The participants received 12 acupuncture sessions over a 4-week period, with three sessions per week scheduled every other day.
DEVICE	Sham Comparator	The acupoints are same with those in the experimental group. The patient adopts a supine position, and after disinfecting the acupoints, sterile cotton pads are affixed to secure needles. The control group use dull needles measuring 0.30 × 25 mm, which are inserted vertically through the fixed pad until reaching the skin surface. The needles are gently lifted, twisted, and rotated slightly three times each, without piercing the skin. The needles are retained for 30 minutes, with no manipulation during this period. The participants received 12 sham acupuncture sessions over a 4-week period, with three sessions per week scheduled every other day.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-01
• Primary completion: 2026-09-30
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2025-07-22
• Last updated: 2025-07-25