Acupuncture for Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byWeidong Lu, PhD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

No Placebo Group

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This research study is evaluating acupuncture, a medical therapy in which hair-thin, stainless steel needles are shallowly inserted into specific points to help the body's natural healing process, as a possible treatment to reduce hot flashes.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with Stage I-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who've finished primary treatment and are on hormonal therapy. They must have frequent hot flashes, be in good physical condition, and not planning further chemotherapy or surgery during the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I am fully active or restricted in physically strenuous activity but can do light work.

I had Stage I-III breast cancer that was estrogen receptor and possibly HER2 positive.

I have been on hormone therapy for cancer, like Tamoxifen, for at least 4 weeks.

+5 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have seizures that are not controlled by medication.

I am currently undergoing or planning to undergo treatment changes, including surgery or chemotherapy, during the study.

I started medication for hot flashes less than 4 weeks ago or have been on a stable dose for more than 4 weeks.

+4 more

Participant Groups

The study tests acupuncture as a potential remedy for reducing hot flashes against usual care without acupuncture. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or their regular treatment to compare outcomes.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Immediate AcupunctureExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

* Will receive a standardized acupuncture protocol for a 10-week period * 20 sessions: twice a week for 10 weeks * After the completion of the 10 weeks main study period, participants will cross over to the usual care as a follow-up without acupuncture for additional 10 weeks.

Group II: Delayed acupunctureActive Control1 Intervention

* Will receive standard usual care without acupuncture for 10 weeks * Participants will cross over to receive the same acupuncture protocol for 10 weeks --10 sessions: once a week for 10 weeks before exiting the study

Acupuncture is already approved in United States, European Union, China, Australia for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Acupuncture for: