CompletedNot Applicable

Auricular Point Acupressure to Manage Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

United States238 participantsStarted 2021-07-08

Plain-language summary

The proposed randomized control trial will evaluate auricular point acupressure (APA) on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN), rigorously considering point specificity and placebo effects by integrating self-report measures, psychophysical measures (QST), endogenous biomarkers (cytokines), and neuro-imaging to investigate APA's efficacy and underlying mechanism(s).

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: * cancer patients ages ≥18 years * have received a medication in one of the following categories: platinum-based, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib, eribulin, and/or taxanes * have CIN due to receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy for cancer or have pre-existing peripheral neuropathy of another etiology that worsened after chemotherapy * have one of the average intensity of pain, or numbness, or tingling on their extremities the previous week due to CIN ≥ 4 on a 11-point numerical scale. Exclusion Criteria: * use of an investigational agent for pain control concurrently or within the past 30 days * use of an implantable drug delivery system, e.g. Medtronic SynchroMed® * prior celiac plexus block or other neurolytic pain control treatment * other identified causes of painful paresthesia existing prior to chemotherapy (e.g., radiation or malignant plexopathy, lumbar or cervical radiculopathy,) * allergy to latex (the tapes for the APA include latex) and/or having a history of allergic reactions to the adhesive tape * pregnant women (based on the self-reported data) * individuals diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy

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

Pain Severity as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Numbness as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after Baseline

Tingling as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Stiffness as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Grade of Peripheral Motor Neuropathy as Assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Grade of Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy as Assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Physical Function as Assessed by The Revised BPI-CIN Pain Interference Subscale

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04920097

SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-05-30

Results submitted2026-05-26

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathy trials

Plain-language summary

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.

What they're measuring

Pain Severity as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Numbness as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after Baseline

Tingling as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Stiffness as Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Grade of Peripheral Motor Neuropathy as Assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Grade of Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy as Assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 month after baseline

Physical Function as Assessed by The Revised BPI-CIN Pain Interference Subscale