CompletedNot Applicable

Efficacy Study of Acupuncture to Treat the Upper Abdominal Pain of Cancer Patients

South Korea14 participantsStarted 2013-03

Plain-language summary

This study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture for alleviating the upper abdominal pain of cancer patients

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age over 18 years * Upper abdominal pain VAS ≥ 5 * Unresectable abdominal malignancy, moderate or severe abdominal pain poorly controlled with pharmacotherapy. * All patients had advanced cancer diagnosed by histological/cytological examination * Follow-up possible during the clinical trial * Written informed consent voluntarily Exclusion Criteria: * Patient with uncorrectable coagulopathy * Patient with allergy to local anesthesics or alcohol.. * Previous NCPB or had implanted epidural or intrathecal analgesic therapy * Inability to lie prone * Disease encasing the celiac plexus on computed Tomography scan * Patients with psychiatric diseases that could have affected the study assessments * Significant renal or hepatic disease * Inability to comprehend or express oneself in the Korean language * Refusal to participate in the trial or to provide informed consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Visual analogue scale(VAS)

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 2 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01913574

SponsorDaegu Catholic University Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2014-03

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Abdominal Pain trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.