Electroacupuncture vs. Ear Acupressure for Breast Cancer–Related Joint Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This multicenter randomized trial enrolls about 200 breast cancer survivors experiencing endocrine therapy–related joint pain. Participants are randomly assigned to electroacupuncture, auricular acupressure, or a waitlist control, with stratified block randomization to balance groups. The study measures changes in worst pain (BPI-SF) from baseline to end of treatment, along with pain interference, overall health status (PROMIS), and endocrine-therapy–specific quality of life (FACT-ES). Additional outcomes include analgesic use and patient expectations. Safety and tolerability of the two acupuncture approaches are also monitored.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer, stage I-IV, according to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (8th edition);
* Aged 18-75 years;
* Experiencing joint pain attributed to endocrine therapy, including localized or generalized joint pain, with symptoms persisting for at least 1 week;
* Completion of all planned surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, with a scheduled continuation of endocrine therapy for at least 1 additional year;
* Self-reported worst joint pain score of ≥3 on a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during the past week;
* Life expectancy ≥1 year;
* Voluntarily sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bone metastases involving the same site as the affected joint attributed to endocrine therapy;
* History of fracture or surgery involving the affected joints within the past 6 months;
* Implanted electronic medical devices;
* Not suitable for acupuncture, including but not limited to bleeding tendencies (e.g. coagulation disorders or purpura) or local skin lesions at the intended acupoint sites.

Where it's running

• Hubei Cancer Hospital
  Wuhan, Hubei, China Recruiting
• First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China Recruiting
• Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital
  Tianjin, China Recruiting
• Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital
  Tianjin, China Recruiting
• Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University
  Xining, China Recruiting
• Qinghai Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Xining, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Li Li
• Email: lilitcm@foxmail.com
• Phone: 86+18222626653

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.