Electroacupuncture Therapy for Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Treatment

Overseen by Lorenzo Cohen

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This randomized phase II trial studies how well electroacupuncture therapy works in reducing chronic pain in patients following surgery for stage I-III breast cancer. Electroacupuncture therapy is a type of complementary integrative medicine in which pulses of weak electrical current are sent through very thin, solid, sterile, stainless steel needles into certain points in the skin. Electroacupuncture therapy may help to lower pain and other surgery-related symptoms.

Research Team

Lorenzo Cohen

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult women over 18 who've had stage I-III breast cancer surgery and completed treatment at least 4 months ago. They must have chronic pain post-treatment, speak English, and be able to follow the study plan. Excluded are those with pacemakers, recent acupuncture treatments, bleeding disorders, or metastatic breast cancer.

Inclusion Criteria

Be able to read, write, and speak English

You have seen a cancer doctor in the last 12 months.

You experience moderate to severe pain based on a pain assessment questionnaire called the Brief Pain Inventory.

Exclusion Criteria

I am starting or planning to start a new lymphedema treatment.

I have used acupuncture for my current pain.

I have a history of bleeding disorders.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Electroacupuncture Therapy (Other)

Trial Overview The trial tests if electroacupuncture can reduce chronic pain in patients after breast cancer surgery. It involves sending electrical pulses through needles into the skin. Participants will also undergo lab marker analysis and complete quality-of-life assessments.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group I (electroacupuncture therapy) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Patients undergo electroacupuncture therapy over 45 minutes 2-3 times per week over 4 weeks for a total of 10 sessions.

Group II: Group III (waitlist control) Active Control 3 Interventions

Patients receive standard of care without any kind of acupuncture therapy.

Group III: Group II (sham electroacupuncture therapy) Placebo Group 4 Interventions

Patients undergo modified electroacupuncture therapy over 45 minutes 2-3 times per week over 4 weeks for a total of 10 sessions. Acupuncture needles are placed in different locations using a different technique than those used for Group I.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Dr. Peter WT Pisters

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2017

MD from University of Western Ontario

Dr. Jeffrey E. Lee

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Stanford University School of Medicine

Gateway for Cancer Research

Collaborator

Trials

47

Recruited

2,500+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Dr. Douglas R. Lowy

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

MD from New York University School of Medicine

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from Harvard Medical School