The Use of Acupuncture to Reduce Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Gynaecological Cancer Patients

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Gynaecological, Urological or Rectal Cancer, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Acupuncture

In brief

Objectives: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of acupuncture on reducing Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) in gynaecological cancer patients who have received carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy combination. Results of this pilot trial will provide preliminary information for a potential a larger scale multicentre study. Hypothesis: Acupuncture can significantly reduce CIPN in gynaecological cancer patients treated with chemotherapy Design and subjects: This is a pilot, prospective randomised controlled trial. This is an exploratory trial to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing CIPN in gynaecological cancer patients. Eligible patients will be 1:1:1 randomised to three groups: electroacupuncture group, sham acupuncture group and waiting-list (usual care) control group. For electroacupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, the assessors and the patients will be blinded to the treatment given. 1. Electroacupuncture group - patients will receive 6 weeks of electroacupuncture, 2 sessions per week, by a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner from the School of Chinese Medicine. 2. Sham acupuncture group - patients will receive 6 weeks of sham acupuncture similar to the above. 3. Waiting-list (usual care) control group - patients will not receive any treatment. Main outcomes: Acupuncture effects will be assessed at baseline and 3, 6,12 weeks post intervention by: 1. Patient reported outcome measures: FACT/GOG-Ntx questionnaire for assessing CIPN symptoms and EORTC-QLQ-C30 and CIPN20 questionnaires for assessing quality of life symptom 2. Clinician reported outcome measures: NCI-CTCAE grading for CIPN by clinicians and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test as an objective measurement of CIPN. Data analysis: Intention to treat analysis will be carried out. Baseline demographics will be compared between the 3 groups. Change from baseline total score will be calculated and analysed using 2-sample t-test. 95% CI will be reported for treatment differences. Score for different subcategories will be analysed in a similar manner. Data collected at week 6 will be used for outcome analysis. P\<0.05 will be considered as statistically significant. Acupuncture efficacy, effectiveness and placebo effect will be indicated by comparison of acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture, acupuncture vs. waiting-list, and sham acupuncture vs. waiting-list, respectively. Expected results: Patients in the acupuncture arm will have reduced numbness and peripheral neuropathy and improved quality of life without any adverse event.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT06769061
Run by
Karen Kar Loen CHAN
People needed
75
Starts
2025-02-12
Expected to finish
2027-12-01
Last updated by the study team
2026-02-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.