Self-acupuncture for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
A Feasibility Trial of Self-Acupuncture for Chemotherapy Cancer Patients (SACC Trial)
This study is testing if teaching cancer patients to do self-acupuncture can help ease their symptoms and side effects from chemotherapy compared to those who only receive standard care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University College London Hospitals Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (London) |
| Trial ID | NCT05929690 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This trial aims to assess the feasibility of teaching cancer patients to self-administer acupuncture to help alleviate symptoms related to cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy. Patients will be randomly assigned to either receive self-acupuncture alongside standard care or standard care alone. The study will involve a group workshop led by experienced practitioners for those in the self-acupuncture group. The findings will provide preliminary data on effectiveness and inform future clinical trials.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients over 16 years old who are about to receive radical intravenous chemotherapy for any cancer diagnosis.
Not a fit: Patients receiving palliative care or those with severe blood disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide cancer patients with a self-management tool to reduce chemotherapy-related symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: While the feasibility of self-acupuncture has been explored in other contexts, this specific approach within a cancer care setting is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients due to receive radical (curative) intravenous chemotherapy (any chemotherapy regime). * Patients of either gender and older than 16 years old. * Patients with any cancer diagnosis. * Patients willing to participate in the study and be randomised to one of the two treatment arms. * Patients willing to attend the self-acupuncture workshop, and self-administer acupuncture, if assigned to the intervention. Exclusion Criteria: * Palliative patients. * Patients unwilling to participate (for instance due to needle phobia). * Patients currently receiving acupuncture. * Patients with a platelet count \<20 000mm. * Patients with a white blood cell count \<1000mm. * Patients with severe clotting dysfunction or who bruise spontaneously. * Patients unable to complete the questionnaires as judged by the investigators.
Where this trial is running
London
- UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre — London, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: John Hughes
- Email: john.hughes8@nhs.net
- Phone: 02034488883
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.