Randomized Trial of Ear Acupressure to Improve Quality of Life in Adults with Advanced Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of ear acupressure treatment following the NADA protocol on quality of life in patients with advanced tumor diseases at all stages. The study focuses on how this treatment may impact anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, and sleep in these patients. The trial is randomized and single-blinded, aiming to better understand symptom management during ongoing cancer therapy. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group receives ear acupressure on both ears using permanent pellets applied once a week at the study center for 8 weeks. These pellets remain on the ears for 5 days and patients are instructed to massage them three times daily. Additionally, these patients receive a 30-minute psychoeducational talk at the first treatment visit to support their health skills. The control group receives standard treatment and a one-time 30-minute psychoeducational interview at baseline. During the study, participants are assessed for changes in disease-specific quality of life after 8 weeks of intervention. Secondary measures include changes in anxiety, depression, symptom burden, pain, fatigue, and sleep quality at multiple time points during and after treatment, including 2 and 12 weeks post-intervention. Safety is monitored by tracking adverse events over an average of 3 years. The total participation spans at least 8 weeks of active treatment, with follow-up assessments continuing thereafter.

Auricular Acupuncture in Patients With Advanced Cancer: a Randomized Clinical Trial.