Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Laser Acupuncture for Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients

Taiwan50 participantsStarted 2026-04-08

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if laser acupuncture (low-level laser therapy) works to treat fatigue and improve quality of life in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. It will also learn about how laser acupuncture affects blood circulation and autonomic nervous system balance. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does laser acupuncture reduce the severity of fatigue and its interference with daily life? 2. Can laser acupuncture improve related symptoms such as insomnia, poor appetite, and skin itching? 3. How does laser acupuncture affect objective markers like microcirculation and heart rate variability? Researchers will compare laser acupuncture to a sham treatment (a look-alike procedure using a device that does not emit a laser) to see if laser acupuncture works to treat fatigue. Participants will: 1. Receive laser acupuncture or a sham treatment during their regular hemodialysis sessions 3 times a week for 4 weeks. 2. Have their fatigue and life quality assessed through questionnaires on the first day, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks. 3. Undergo non-invasive tests to measure microcirculation, heart rate variability, and pulse waves, and have photos of their tongue taken for Chinese medicine assessment.

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: * Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who require regular maintenance hemodialysis. * Must undergo hemodialysis treatment at least 3 times per week. * Aged 18 years or older. * Willing and able to provide informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of acute infectious symptoms. * Unstable vital signs. * Diagnosis of malignant tumors. * Pregnancy. * Presence of open wounds at the sites designated for laser intervention. * Patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers or other cardiac devices.

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

VAS for fatigue

Timeframe: Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (end of intervention), and Week 8 (follow-up).

Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI)

Timeframe: Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (end of intervention), and Week 8 (follow-up).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07538310

SponsorTaipei City Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

Ming Jen Wang, MD

+886-930-766-631 wanters0800@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) trials