Video-guided imagined acupuncture for chemotherapy-related nerve pain
Video-Guided Acupuncture Imagery Treatment in Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy
NA · Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT07177820
This program will try a video-guided imagined acupuncture (VGAIT) approach to help people with ongoing nerve pain after taxane chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital (other) |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlestown, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07177820 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot feasibility intervention will deliver 16 remote sessions of Video-Guided Acupuncture Imagery Treatment (VGAIT) over eight weeks to adults with stage I–III breast cancer who have persistent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Sessions are conducted via Zoom and study measures are collected at enrollment, week 4, and week 8. The primary endpoints are retention to treatment, participant satisfaction with the intervention, and completion of study assessments. Findings will inform whether a larger efficacy trial of VGAIT for CIPN is feasible.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed stage I–III breast cancer who completed adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy, have persistent grade ≥1 CIPN for more than two weeks, and have ECOG performance status 0–1 are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with metastatic or recurrent disease, preexisting neuropathy prior to chemotherapy, uncontrolled seizure disorder, unstable cardiac disease or recent myocardial infarction, current pregnancy or nursing, concurrent chemotherapy, or recent acupuncture for CIPN are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, VGAIT could provide a noninvasive, remotely delivered option to reduce CIPN symptoms and improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Imagery-based acupuncture and other mind–body interventions have shown limited promise in small pain studies, but VGAIT specifically for CIPN is a novel and minimally tested approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * at least 18 years of age * have histologically confirmed stage I-III breast cancer, * have completed adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy (alone or in combination), , * have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and reported grade 1 or greater CIPN symptoms for more than 2 weeks as defined by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.03. Exclusion Criteria: * concurrent chemotherapy (there were no limitations on time from the last paclitaxel administration), * having metastatic or recurrent disease, * history of preexisting peripheral neuropathy prior to chemotherapy, * uncontrolled seizure disorder, * unstable cardiac disease or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to study entry, being pregnant or nursing, or having used acupuncture for CIPN within 6 months prior to study entry.
Where this trial is running
Charlestown, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sierra Hodges
- Email: sahodges@mgb.org
- Phone: 6177265004
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.
Conditions: Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy