Stress Reduction With Acupuncture After Breast Cancer Treatment
Official title: Study Protocol: Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Patients During Transition Into Survivorship Using Acupuncture - a Randomized Wait-list-controlled Intervention Study
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT07132034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether eight weeks of weekly acupuncture can lower psychological distress in breast cancer survivors who recently finished primary treatment, compared with a wait-list control.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 112 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 3 sites (Basel and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2028 |
| Study ends | September 2029 |
| Registry record updated | July 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07132034 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with localized breast cancer who completed primary therapy within the last six months and have a Distress Thermometer score of 5 or higher.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant language or cognitive barriers or severe comorbidities that prevent participation may not benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized trial examines if weekly acupuncture for eight weeks can reduce psychological distress in adults who have completed primary breast cancer therapy within the past six months. Participants are assigned to receive either acupuncture plus standard supportive care or standard care with a wait-list control. The study focuses on post-treatment survivorship and aims to measure changes in distress and related psychosocial outcomes. Acupuncture is hypothesized to modulate autonomic balance and improve resilience and adherence to care during early aftercare. The trial is conducted across multiple Swiss sites with Isabell Xiang Ge as lead sponsor and Swiss GO Trial Group as collaborators.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience reduced distress and improved quality of life during early breast cancer survivorship.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests acupuncture can reduce stress and improve symptoms in cancer populations, but evidence for post-treatment breast cancer distress is limited and the approach is relatively novel in this specific context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Patients with localized breast cancer having completed primary therapy (operation +/- chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy) in the last 6 months - Distress Thermometer ≥ 5 - Age ≥ 18 years - Signed informed consent for participation of the trial * Prior cancer is allowed * Prior treatment - including chemotherapy - for a prior malignant tumor (including breast cancer) is allowed * Concomitant participation in an experimental therapeutic drug trial is allowed * Ongoing or planned Anti-her2/neu, immune checkpoint inhibitor, antihormonal and CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy or other adjuvant treatment scheduled for \> 3 months during study period is allowed * Use of other complementary methods (including mistletoe) is allowed. Exclusion criteria: * Patients with language or cognitive deficits (including impaired consciousness) that are incompatible with the participation in the study * Severe physical or psychiatric comorbidity that prevents a patient from participating in the study * Patients incapable of giving consent * Pregnancy
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland Recruiting -
Onkologie- & Hämatologiezentrums, Spital STS AG Thun
Thun, Switzerland Recruiting -
Gesundheitszentrum Fricktal AG Frauenklinik
Rheinfelden, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Isabell Xiang Ge, MD
- Email: isabellxiang.ge@usb.ch
- Phone: +41 61 265 85885
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.