Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Patch Application at the Shenque (RN8) Acupoint in Cance… (NCT07690293) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Patch Application at the Shenque (RN8) Acupoint in Cancer Patients Scheduled to Undergo Radiotherapy: A Study on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Heart Rate Variability
80 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine patch application at the Shenque (RN8) acupoint on cancer-related fatigue in adult cancer patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a traditional Chinese medicine patch or a sham patch at the same acupoint. The intervention will be applied once daily for 2 hours, 7 days per week, for 2 consecutive weeks, for a total of 14 sessions. Fatigue severity, quality of life, heart rate variability, complete blood count, and skin safety will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
20 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:
* Adults aged 20 years or older.
* Patients diagnosed with cancer by a physician.
* Patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy.
* Patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue and have a fatigue scale score of 4 or higher.
* Patients who are willing and able to provide written informed consent after receiving an explanation of the study procedures and possible risks.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients who are not suitable for traditional Chinese medicine patch application, including those with wounds or skin lesions at the acupoint application site.
* Patients who are unwilling to sign the informed consent form.
* Minors, pregnant women, patients with psychiatric disorders, or vulnerable populations.
* Patients with diseases that may affect heart rate variability.
* Patients who have received astragalus polysaccharide injection within 1 month before the start of the study.
* Patients who have used Chinese herbal medicine within 1 month before the start of the study.
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
1
Change in Fatigue Severity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale From Baseline to End of Intervention