Status:

COMPLETED

Acupuncture for Prevention of Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

Lead Sponsor:

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Conditions:

Xerostomia

Mouth Dryness

Eligibility:

All Genders

18+ years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if acupuncture is effective in preventing xerostomia (dry mouth) in cancer patients who receive radiation treatment to the head and neck area. Rese...

Detailed Description

Some research suggests that acupuncture may be helpful in stimulating saliva flow in patients with dry mouth caused by radiation treatment. Acupuncture uses very thin needles inserted at certain point...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Adult \>/= 18 year of age and able to sign informed consent
  • Diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and scheduled to undergo concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatment
  • Treatment plan must include treatment of at least 50 gray bilateral to the parotid
  • Must have anatomically intact parotid and submandibular glands
  • Karnofsky Performance Status \> 60
  • If the participant is female and of child bearing potential, must have a negative urine pregnancy test.

Exclusion

  • History of xerostomia prior to the head and neck radiation therapy (Sjögren's disease or other underlying systemic illness known to cause xerostomia).
  • Planned IMRT
  • Suspected or confirmed physical closure of salivary gland ducts on either side
  • Known bleeding disorders and on Heparin or Coumadin
  • Upper or lower extremity deformities that could interfere with accurate acupoint location or alter the energy pathway as defined by traditional acupuncture theory
  • Local skin infections at or near the acupuncture site or active systemic infection
  • History of cerebrovascular accident or spinal cord injury. (The mechanism of action for acupuncture may be associated with central nervous system (CNS) activity, and patients with CNS pathology may respond differently to treatment than the general population.)
  • Mental incapacitation or significant emotional or psychiatric disorder that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes study entry as these patients may not be able to cooperate with this slightly invasive procedure or with the data collection process
  • Current acknowledged use of any illicit drugs or evidence of alcohol abuse as defined by The American Psychiatric Association criteria
  • Participants who are taking or who have taken any investigational new drug within the last 30 days, or who are planning to take such a drug during the course of the study
  • Current acknowledged use of other alternative medicines such as herbal preparations that could affect salivary function. Each patient will be asked for a list of herbal supplements they are currently taking and this will be reviewed on an individual basis. Patients will be excluded if they are taking any herbs known or suspected to affect salivary function
  • Participants taking cholinergic agonist medication (Pilocarpine, Cevimeline), beta adrenergic antagonists, anticholinergic agents or other medications known to affect salivary function
  • Currently receiving acupuncture for any condition
  • No prior head and neck radiation treatment

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

January 1 2007

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

May 27 2021

Estimated Enrollment :

100 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT00430378

Start Date

January 1 2007

End Date

May 27 2021

Last Update

June 10 2021

Active Locations (1)

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1

Fudan University Cancer Hospital

Shanghai, China