Using acupressure to reduce anxiety in chemotherapy patients

Acupressure for Anxiety: A Pilot Study of a Nurse-Led Acupressure Intervention for Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Not applicable Interventional Mayo Clinic · NCT06322615

This study is testing if acupressure can help reduce anxiety in people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT06322615 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of acupressure as a non-invasive method to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. The study involves both nurse-led and self-applied acupressure sessions lasting between 15 to 120 seconds, with a total duration of up to 15 minutes. Patients will also have the option to receive education on how to perform acupressure at home. The primary objectives include assessing the feasibility of the intervention and measuring patient-reported changes in anxiety levels. The findings may provide insights into alternative symptom management strategies for cancer patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 who are actively undergoing chemotherapy and report a level of anxiety of 1 or higher.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the inclusion criteria or are not experiencing anxiety may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-medicinal way to alleviate anxiety for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific application of acupressure in this context may be novel, similar studies have shown promise in using non-invasive techniques to manage anxiety in various patient populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Be over 18 years of age
* Be actively undergoing chemotherapy in the Mayo Clinic chemotherapy unit
* Report anxiety as a 1 or higher, on a scale from 0 (no anxiety) to 4 (severe anxiety)
* Be willing to undergo a short acupressure session

Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not meet the inclusion criteria

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System NeoplasmMalignant Solid Neoplasm
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.