Using acupuncture to treat pain from chemotherapy-induced nerve damage
Official title: Acupuncture for Chemothrapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment (ACT) Trial
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10745311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether acupuncture can help relieve the painful nerve issues that some cancer survivors experience after chemotherapy, and it's for those who are dealing with moderate to severe pain from this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $594,560 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA248563-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10745311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer survivors experiencing moderate to severe pain due to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy or those with mild symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a painful condition that affects many cancer survivors. The study will involve a randomized trial with three groups, including one receiving acupuncture, one receiving sham acupuncture, and a control group receiving usual care. Participants will undergo eight weeks of treatment, and the research aims to assess improvements in pain levels and sensory nerve function. By focusing on cancer patients experiencing moderate to severe CIPN pain, the study seeks to enhance their quality of life and functional abilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-pharmacological treatment option for alleviating pain and improving quality of life for cancer survivors suffering from CIPN.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results for acupuncture in reducing CIPN pain, indicating potential for success in this larger trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bao, Ting — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Bao, Ting
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Acupuncture to ease chemotherapy-related nerve pain
This project tests whether real acupuncture, compared with sham acupuncture, reduces moderate-to-severe chemotherapy-related nerve pain in cancer survivors.
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Non-invasive, microscopic biomarkers to detect CIPN in chemotherapy patients
This grant aims to develop a non-invasive imaging method to measure nerve changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy to better understand and monitor chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
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Novel pain biomarker for neuropathy that could guide therapy
A study to develop and test a biomarker that reflects how well peripherally acting pain medicines work for people with painful peripheral neuropathy.
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Auricular vagus nerve stimulation to help HIV-related nerve pain in older adults
A new, non-invasive brain-nerve stimulation approach is being tested to help older adults living with HIV who have nerve pain.
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Longitudinal study of how body-sense relates to chemotherapy nerve damage
This study follows people with breast or gastrointestinal cancer and healthy controls to see if brain processing of body sensations contributes to chemotherapy-induced nerve damage.
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Understanding how early nerve excitement during chemotherapy leads to painful nerve damage
A cancer treatment study looks at why the nerve pain some patients get after paclitaxel may develop, by studying how nerves react during the infusion.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.