Acupressure for dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients
Effect of Self-administered Acupressure for Improving Xerostomia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing if self-applied acupressure can help reduce dry mouth symptoms in people with head and neck cancer compared to just receiving oral health education.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 126 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation, chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong, Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT06465628 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effects of self-administered acupressure on xerostomia, or dry mouth, in patients with head and neck cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acupressure or oral health education, with the primary goal of assessing improvements in xerostomia symptoms. Secondary outcomes include quality of life and symptom severity evaluations. The study also aims to explore patient expectations and the acceptability of acupressure as a treatment option.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer and experience xerostomia after completing radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of xerostomia prior to cancer treatment or those who have recently practiced acupressure or acupuncture may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the quality of life for head and neck cancer patients suffering from xerostomia.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research on self-administered acupressure for xerostomia, similar approaches in other conditions have shown promising results.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age ≥18 years; * able to give informed consent; * diagnosed with head and neck cancer (cancers in the head and neck region, e.g. oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, sinus cancer, salivary gland cancer); * completed radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for at least 2 weeks; * complains of xerostomia after the treatment; * able to communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin. Exclusion Criteria: * history of xerostomia prior to head and neck cancer treatment (e.g., Sjögren Syndrome); * practiced acupressure or received acupuncture in the last 3 months; * having contraindications to acupressure, e.g. blood system disease (e.g., leukemia); pregnancy; lactating; upper or lower extremity deformities; infection or injuries at the acupoints. Those who are taking medications/alternative substances to treat xerostomia on a fixed dosage regimen in the past one month will not be excluded. \-
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Queen Mary Hospital — Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Denise Cheung, PhD — School of Nursing, the University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: Denise Cheung, PhD
- Email: denisest@hku.hk
- Phone: 39176673
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.