Actively Recruiting
MPOWER: A Pilot Trial Among Men With Prostate Cancer to Evaluate Acupuncture for Relief From Hot Flashes
Led by Inova Health Care Services · Updated on 2026-02-04
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
25 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether acupuncture can help manage bothersome side effects such as hot flashes, poor sleep, and fatigue in men with prostate cancer who are undergoing hormone therapy called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This pilot study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture combined with lifestyle education in this group. The study will include 24 men with prostate cancer receiving ADT and explore acupuncture's potential to reduce hot flashes and improve related symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will start acupuncture immediately, and the other will start after a delay. The immediate group will receive weekly 30-minute acupuncture sessions for 10 weeks alongside lifestyle education, followed by a 12-week follow-up without acupuncture. The delayed group will receive lifestyle education and regular check-ins for the first 10 weeks, then begin the same 10-week acupuncture program. All acupuncture treatments will be delivered by certified acupuncturists with expertise in oncology care. During the study, participants will be followed for about 22 weeks and asked to complete daily hot flash diaries, symptom and quality of life questionnaires, and wear a Fitbit to monitor sleep. Researchers will measure study feasibility through patient enrollment and engagement, acceptability of the acupuncture intervention, and changes in hot flash severity. This pilot study will help determine if a larger trial should be conducted to better understand acupuncture's role in managing hormone therapy side effects in men with prostate cancer.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Men With Prostate Cancer: Optimizing Wellness by Enhanced Relief From Hot Flashes With Acupuncture
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male
- At least 18 years of age
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of prostate of any stage I-IV
- Undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and/or androgen receptor pathway inhibitors
- Experiencing moderate to severe daily interference from hot flashes (Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale score ≥4)
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1
- Able to read, understand, and provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Severe or uncontrolled concurrent disease, infection, or co-morbidity making enrollment inappropriate
- Known hypersensitivity to acupuncture needles
- Any condition impairing ability to comply with study procedures
- Unable to comply with study requirements
- Use of acupuncture for hot flashes within 6 months prior to enrollment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants in the immediate start group receive weekly 30-minute acupuncture sessions for 10 weeks along with lifestyle education. Participants in the delayed start group receive lifestyle education without acupuncture during this time.
Weekly visits for acupuncture sessions or check-ins
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants who completed acupuncture enter a 12-week follow-up phase without acupuncture treatments.
Periodic assessments without acupuncture
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants in the delayed start group begin weekly 30-minute acupuncture sessions for 10 weeks after the initial 10-week period, alongside lifestyle education.
Weekly visits for acupuncture sessions
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Inova Schar Cancer Institute
Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22031
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Melissa F Miller, phD, MPH
B
Bre Azad
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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