RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Auricular Acupuncture in Patients With Advanced Cancer: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Researchers are investigating a treatment called ear acupressure, based on the NADA protocol, for people with advanced cancer. This study wants to understand if this therapy, which involves gently pressing on specific points on the ear, can improve how patients feel in their daily lives. They will also look closely at whether it helps with common challenges that people with advanced cancer often face. These include feelings of extreme tiredness (fatigue), different kinds of pain, feelings of sadness or depression, and difficulties with getting a good night's sleep. The overall goal is to see if ear acupressure can make a positive difference to living with advanced cancer.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Enrolment target

125

Start

13 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2026

Fatigue Pain Depression Advanced Tumour Diseases

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a treatment called ear acupressure, which is a type of ear acupuncture. Instead of needles, gentle pressure is applied to specific points on the ear. The researchers want to find out if this treatment can help people who have advanced cancer and are experiencing difficult symptoms. People with advanced cancer often deal with various challenges, and this study aims to see if ear acupressure can make daily life better for them.

The main aim is to understand if ear acupressure can improve a person's overall quality of life. This means looking at how well they feel, their mood, and their ability to do everyday things. The study also focuses on specific problems that are common for people with advanced cancer, such as feeling very tired (fatigue), experiencing pain, feeling sad or depressed, and having trouble sleeping.

By carefully studying these areas, the researchers hope to learn whether ear acupressure could be a helpful way to manage these symptoms and improve how people feel. It's a way of exploring new, gentle approaches to support patients alongside their usual medical care.

Key takeaways

This study explores ear acupressure for people with advanced cancer.
It aims to improve quality of life, tiredness, pain, depression, and sleep.
It's for adults (18-70) with ongoing symptoms from advanced cancer.
You would receive ear acupressure treatments and have your symptoms checked.
Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
It's designed to complement - not replace - your standard cancer care.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would need to be an adult, aged between 18 and 70, who has advanced cancer and is currently receiving treatment for it. You should also be experiencing ongoing symptoms or difficulties related to your illness or its treatment that are affecting you.

There are certain reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if your doctor thinks there are medical reasons or a mental health condition that would make it difficult or unsafe for you to take part. Also, if you're due to have radiation therapy in your head area, or if you're already participating in another study looking at acupuncture or acupressure, you wouldn't be able to join this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Do you have advanced cancer and are currently receiving treatment?
Are you experiencing ongoing symptoms like tiredness, pain, or feeling down due to your cancer or its treatment?
Are you not currently involved in another acupuncture/acupressure study?
Are you able to provide your informed consent to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed steps for taking part in this study are not fully described here. However, it would involve receiving regular ear acupressure treatments. Before you start, you would likely have some assessments to record how you are feeling regarding fatigue, pain, depression, and sleep. These assessments might involve filling out questionnaires. You would then receive the ear acupressure treatments according to the NADA protocol. Throughout the study, there would be follow-up assessments to see how the treatments are affecting your symptoms and overall well-being. The total duration of your involvement would depend on the study's plan for how long the treatments and follow-up observations will last.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include an improvement in your symptoms like tiredness, pain, depression, and sleep quality, potentially leading to a better overall quality of life. As ear acupressure is generally a gentle treatment, serious risks are expected to be low, but there might be minor side effects like discomfort at the ear points. Before joining, you would receive a full explanation of any known risks. Remember, taking part in any study is always your choice, and you have the right to withdraw at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Robert Bosch Krankenhaus
Verified postcode
Stuttgart, Germany· Recruiting
University Hospital Wuerzburg
Verified postcode
Würzburg, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is ear acupressure?

Ear acupressure is a gentle therapy where specific points on your outer ear are stimulated, often by pressing, to help with various symptoms or conditions.

What is 'advanced cancer' in this study?

This refers to cancer that has progressed and may be causing ongoing symptoms, and patients are receiving current treatment for it, regardless of its stage.

Will I still receive my usual cancer treatment?

Yes, this study is about seeing if ear acupressure can help alongside your current cancer treatments, not replace them.

What does a 'distress thermometer score ≥ 5' mean?

This is a simple tool to measure how much distress you are feeling. A score of 5 or more suggests you are experiencing a noticeable level of distress that may impact your well-being.

Can I join if I'm over 70?

The study is specifically looking for participants aged between 18 and 70 years old.

How to find out more

Claudia Loeffler, Dr

loeffler_c@ukw.de +49 93120144966 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.