Holistic acupuncture to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea
HOL-AKU: Holistic Acupuncture for Patients With Chemotherapy Induced Nausea
This study will test whether adding acupuncture and acupressure to standard anti-nausea medicine helps adults receiving chemotherapy who still have nausea.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vejle Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Vejle) |
| Trial ID | NCT07201194 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized study will enroll 90 adults with chemotherapy-induced nausea and assign them 1:1 to receive either holistic acupuncture/acupressure plus standard antiemetic medication or standard antiemetic medication alone. Nausea and other cancer-related symptoms will be measured at baseline and at 8 and 22 days after enrollment to capture short-term effects across treatment cycles. Eligible participants are Danish-speaking adults scheduled for chemotherapy every 14 days with at least two cycles planned, while patients with brain metastases or performance status >2 are excluded. The intervention is delivered at the Department of Oncology, Vejle Hospital and compares adding acupuncture to usual care in a real-world oncology setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) undergoing chemotherapy who continue to have nausea despite prescribed antiemetics, speak Danish, are scheduled for biweekly treatment with at least two cycles planned, and do not have brain metastases or performance status >2.
Not a fit: Patients with brain metastases, a performance status above 2, those unable to attend in-person visits at Vejle Hospital, or non–Danish speakers are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding acupuncture could reduce nausea severity and improve daily comfort and functioning during chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior trials of acupuncture and acupressure for chemotherapy-related nausea have reported modest benefits in some studies but results are mixed and not uniformly conclusive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria * ≥ 18 years of age * Undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing nausea despite adherence to the prescribed antiemetic regimen * Understands and speaks Danish * Written and orally informed consent * Planned for treatment every 14 days * At least two chemotherapy cycles planned at the time of inclusion Exclusion Criteria: * Brain metastases * Performance status \>2
Where this trial is running
Vejle
- Department of Oncology, Vejle Hospital — Vejle, Denmark (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mette Stie, Phd — Department of Oncology, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle
- Study coordinator: Mette Stie, PhD
- Email: mette.stie@rsyd.dk
- Phone: +4579409174
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.