Actively Recruiting
Integrating Topical Herbal Plasters to Enhance Pain Management and Reduce Opioid Use in Cancer Patients
Led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Updated on 2026-03-04
150
Participants Needed
7
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether Tibetree pain-relieving herbal plasters, applied topically, can be a helpful addition to standard opioid therapy for managing pain in people with current or past cancer. This Phase 1 study aims to find out if using these herbal plasters is practical and effective for localized pain relief in patients already using opioids. The study is sponsored by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and focuses on cancer patients experiencing specific types of pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will use the Tibetree herbal plasters once daily for up to 8 hours over 7 days, while the other group will be on a waitlist control. After a 7-day waiting period, those in the waitlist control group will then begin using the herbal plasters for another 7 days. The study compares these treatment periods to evaluate adherence, satisfaction, and pain relief. During the study, participants' enrollment, treatment adherence, and completion of assessments will be monitored over 2 years. Pain severity and treatment satisfaction will be measured up to day 7. Participants will be asked to follow study procedures, including randomization and use of the plaster on their worst pain area. Safety and effectiveness data will be collected through questionnaires and pain rating scales, with the entire study extending over multiple years for follow-up.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Study Testing Topical Pain-Relieving Herbal Plasters in People Who Are Using Opioids for Their Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- English speaking and aged 18 years or older
- Diagnosed with cancer at any stage or a cancer survivor
- Ambulatory with Karnofsky Performance Status of 60 or higher
- Experiencing one of these pain types: musculoskeletal, bone metastasis, or visceral/abdominal pain
- Worst pain score of 4 or above in the past week
- Currently using short-term oral opioids (e.g., oxycodone, morphine immediate release, hydromorphone) for pain
- Willing and able to follow study procedures including randomization
- Able to understand and provide signed informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Unwilling to reduce opioid use if pain improves
- Generalized musculoskeletal pain like fibromyalgia as the main pain source
- Significant skin disorders such as severe eczema, psoriasis, severe xerosis, chronic dermatitis, or adhesive allergy
- Open wounds, infections, or skin trauma where the pain is located
- History of skin sensitivity or allergic reactions to adhesives, patches, or topical analgesics
- Allergic reaction to plants or herbs
- Unwilling to stop current localized topical pain treatments like lidocaine patches
- Recent initiation or change in pain management treatments within 1 week before enrollment
- Planned initiation or change in pain management within 2 weeks after enrollment
- Recent initiation or change in cancer treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy) within 1 week before enrollment
- Planned initiation or change in cancer treatments within 2 weeks after 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 - 7 days
Participants receive a topical herbal plaster once a day for up to 8 hours daily for 7 days to help manage pain while using opioids.
Daily application with follow-up visits as scheduled
Trial Site Locations
Total: 7 locations
1
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (All Protocol Activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States, 07920
Actively Recruiting
2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All Protocol Activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States, 07748
Actively Recruiting
3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All Protocol Activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States, 07645
Actively Recruiting
4
Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk- Commack (All Protocol Activities)
Commack, New York, United States, 11725
Actively Recruiting
5
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (All Protocol Activities)
Harrison, New York, United States, 10604
Actively Recruiting
6
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
New York, New York, United States, 10065
Actively Recruiting
7
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities)
Rockville Centre, New York, United States, 11553
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jun Mao, MD, MSCE
K
Kevin Liou, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here