Tests whether far infrared therapy and nerve stimulation help with side effects in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy

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

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy are randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard care, standard care plus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or standard care plus far infrared therapy with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The study looks at outcomes such as shoulder pain and disability, neck movement, mouth opening, oral mucositis, inflammation, and nausea/vomiting from chemotherapy. Interventions are delivered over two cycles of treatment. The trial is conducted at two hospital sites in Taiwan and led by Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 30 to 85 years.
2. Histologically confirmed head and neck cancer.
3. Scheduled to concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
4. Able to communicate verbally or in writing, willing to complete study questionnaires, and able to comply with all study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of wounds or skin lesions at the sites where the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes will be applied.
2. Contraindications to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, including a history of epilepsy, brain tumor, arteriovenous malformation, implanted cardiac pacemaker, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, due to the potential risk of electrical stimulation interfering with the underlying medical condition.

Where it's running

• Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
  Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan Recruiting

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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.