Actively Recruiting
Feasibility of Auricular Acupressure for Appetite and Weight in Patients With Stage II-IV Gastric, Esophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer
Led by University of Washington · Updated on 2025-12-04
66
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
127 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
N
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This clinical trial evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of acupressure to the ear (auricular) to address appetite and weight in patients with stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer. Cancer anorexia, the abnormal loss of appetite, directly leads to cancer-associated weight loss (cachexia) through malnourishment, reduced caloric intake, treatment side-effects, and other modifiable risk factors. Cachexia prolongs length of hospital stay for patients, negatively impacts treatment tolerance and adherence, and reduces overall patient quality of life. Auricular acupressure is a form of micro-acupuncture that exerts its effect by stimulating the central nervous system using adhesive taped pellets applied to specific locations on the external ear. The use of these pellets to deliver auricular acupressure has been shown to improve pain, fatigue, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, depression, and quality of life in both cancer and non-cancer settings. Auricular acupressure is a safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive approach to addressing cancer-related symptoms and treatment side-effects and may be effective at improving appetite and weight loss in stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer patients.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Feasibility of Auricular Acupressure for Appetite and Weight in Patients With Stage II-IV Gastric, Esophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosed with stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer
- Appetite score of 70 or less on a visual scale of 100
- At least 60 days of planned systemic cancer treatment, either started or scheduled
- Access to a phone and electronic device for study communication and questionnaires
- Willing and able to attend four in-person auricular acupressure sessions at the Fred Hutch South Lake Union Clinic
- Willing and able to perform four self-applied auricular acupressure treatments at home
- No acupressure or acupuncture for low appetite in the last 30 days
- Not currently using corticosteroids, mirtazapine, olanzapine, or Marinol for appetite stimulation at baseline
- Able to eat orally without needing intravenous nutrition at baseline
- No history of physiological eating disorders in the last 3 years
- No known or diagnosed immunodeficiency currently
- Intact ear structure suitable for acupressure
- Able to understand and willing to sign informed consent in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Received acupressure or acupuncture for appetite within the last 30 days
- Currently using corticosteroids, mirtazapine, olanzapine, or Marinol for appetite stimulation at baseline
- Requires intravenous nutrition as sole or supplemental feeding at baseline
- History of physiological eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa) within the last 3 years
- Known or diagnosed immunodeficiency at the time of enrollment
- Ear structure not intact for applying acupressure
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent in English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98109
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Blake Langley
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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