Electroacupuncture for Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting.

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

To test the benefit of using electroacupuncture for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Specifically test if electroacupuncture has a benefit in delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, which is defined as after the first 24hours post chemotherapy. Even with our new antiemetic drugs and protocols patient’s still experience nausea and vomiting and is identified as one of the major concerns for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The trial will address areas that need to be investigated as identified by Ezzo et al 2005 in a Cochrane Collaborative Review. These include obtaining data on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture with modern antiemetics, utilising more than one acupuncture point and getting data on delayed nausea and vomiting.

Chris McKeon, Caroline Smith, Kristen Gibbons, Janet Hardy, Corrine Haugstetter et al. (6 authors)

Acupuncture in Medicine2015-05-2823 citations

10.1136/acupmed-2015-010781

Interventions

Electroacupuncture, Electroacupuncture at 4 acupuncture points bilaterally indicated for nausea and vomiting. Points are PC6, ST36, LV 3 and LI4. Sensi sterile acupuncture needles 0.20 x 30mm inserted and manipulated until "deqi" or a sensation is obtained. The frequency of the stimulation will be 10Hz and the intensity will be adjusted according to patient's tolerance (maximum 10 mA). Treatment will commence 10 minutes prior to chemotherapy starting and continue for further 20mins and will be

Electroacupuncture, Electroacupuncture at 4 acupuncture points bilaterally indicated for nausea and vomiting. Points are PC6, ST36, LV 3 and LI4. Sensi sterile acupuncture needles 0.20 x 30mm inserted and manipulated until "deqi" or a sensation is obtained. The frequency of the stimulation will be 10Hz and the intensity will be adjusted according to patient's tolerance (maximum 10 mA). Treatment will commence 10 minutes prior to chemotherapy starting and continue for further 20mins and will be repeated on Day 3. Patients recieve standard antiemetics as per protocols.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

No

Inclusion criteria

18 years and older Receiving moderate to highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy naive. Solid tumors ( no haematological malignant disease) A good understanding of English Cognitive ability allowing for fully informed written consent and to complete all trial questionaires.

Exclusion criteria

History of acute, chronic or sub acute ileus With thrombocytopenia (defined as platelet count <100) Previous acupuncture for nausea and vomiting Pre-existing nausea or vomiting from another medical condition. Participating in any other trial, including those of new chemotherapy regimens Concurrent treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy Needle phobias Insufficient understanding of the trial and its requirements

Outcome results