Acupuncture for Postoperative Pain in Cancer Surgery
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in managing pain after surgery for colorectal or pancreatic cancer. Researchers aim to determine if acupuncture can reduce pain and other side effects, facilitating a smoother recovery. The trial includes two groups: one receiving acupuncture along with usual care, and the other receiving only usual care. Eligible participants have undergone surgery for colorectal or pancreatic cancer and can read and understand English. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore alternative pain management options post-surgery.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using chronic opioids at a high dose, you may not be eligible to participate.
What prior data suggests that acupuncture therapy is safe for managing postoperative pain?
Research has shown that acupuncture is generally safe for managing pain. Studies indicate that it can reduce pain, improve pain control, and decrease the need for pain medication. For instance, acupuncture improved short-term pain relief after surgery, with fewer requests for additional painkillers.
Regarding safety, acupuncture is usually well-tolerated, with few reports of serious side effects. Minor issues, such as slight bleeding or bruising at needle insertion sites, can occur but are rare. Overall, acupuncture is considered a safe option for many people dealing with pain.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Most treatments for postoperative pain in cancer surgery rely on medications like opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, acupuncture therapy is unique because it offers a non-drug approach to managing pain, potentially reducing the need for these medications and their associated side effects. Researchers are excited about acupuncture because it targets the body's natural pain relief mechanisms, stimulating specific points to release endorphins and promote healing. This approach might not only enhance recovery but also improve overall patient comfort and well-being without the risks of conventional pain medications.
What evidence suggests that acupuncture is effective for managing postoperative pain?
Research has shown that acupuncture can help reduce pain after surgery. Various studies have found that acupuncture eases pain more effectively than no treatment or even sham acupuncture. One study discovered that acupuncture reduced the need for opioids and improved pain relief on the first day after surgery. Another review highlighted that acupuncture can better manage cancer pain, reducing the need for painkillers and improving quality of life. In this trial, one group of participants will receive acupuncture therapy alongside usual care, while another group will receive usual care alone. These findings suggest that acupuncture could be a promising option for managing pain after cancer surgery.12456
Who Is on the Research Team?
Lorenzo Cohen
Principal Investigator
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking patients with pancreatic or colorectal cancer who are undergoing open surgery. They must be able to consent and follow the study's rules. People using high doses of opioids, those with bowel obstruction, recent major surgery, seizures, cognitive issues, or conditions preventing acupuncture can't join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo acupuncture sessions over 25 minutes once daily for up to 7 days, along with usual care including preoperative and postoperative evaluations and visits.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including postoperative length of stay and dietary recovery.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Acupuncture Therapy
Trial Overview
The study is testing if acupuncture can manage pain after pancreatic or colorectal surgery better than usual care practices. Patients will receive acupuncture therapy alongside standard postoperative procedures and their pain levels will be monitored through questionnaires.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Beginning the day after surgery, patients undergo acupuncture sessions over 25 minutes QD for up to 7 days. Patients also undergo usual care including preoperative visits to the primary surgical team, anesthesia preoperative evaluation, referrals to other specialties for perioperative evaluation and optimization of comorbid conditions if necessary, surgical operations, postoperative hospitalization, and post-discharge clinic visits.
Patients undergo usual care including preoperative visits to the primary surgical team, anesthesia preoperative evaluation, referrals to other specialties for perioperative evaluation and optimization of comorbid conditions if necessary, surgical operations, postoperative hospitalization, and post-discharge clinic visits.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
The effectiveness of acupuncture in cancer pain treatment - PMC
Numerous studies have demonstrated its ability to reduce pain, better control pain, decrease analgesic intake, and significantly improve patients' quality of ...
Systematic Review Efficacy of acupuncture on cancer pain
Acupuncture was more effective in reducing pain than no treatment (SMD = –0.90, 95 % CI [–1.68, –0.12]), sham acupuncture (SMD = –1.10, 95 % CI [–1.59, –0.61]) ...
3.
clinicaltrials.gov
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04560712?cond=pancreatic+cancer&aggFilters=status%3A%2Cphase%3AAcupuncture for the Management of Postoperative Pain in ...
Acupuncture may help to reduce postoperative symptoms including pain. This study may help researchers learn if acupuncture reduces after-surgery side effects ...
The Efficacy of Acupuncture in Post-Operative Pain ...
Our findings indicate that certain modes of acupuncture improved postoperative pain on the first day after surgery and reduced opioid use.
5.
journals.lww.com
journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2019/12060/effectiveness_of_acupuncture_for_the_treatment_of.1.aspxEffectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of... : Medicine
This aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of patients with postoperative pain (PPP).
Effect of Acupuncture on Postoperative Pain in Patients after ...
Acupuncture can clinically improve the short-term treatment of postoperative pain after LC and reduce the request for extra analgesics.
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