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Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02195921
Enrollment
160
Registered
2014-07-21
Start date
2015-04-30
Completion date
2017-01-31
Last updated
2021-02-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the matching acupoints is more effective than a single point by electroacupuncture in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting .

Detailed description

Patients were assigned to Four sessions of electroacupuncture(EA) at the CV12, ST36, CV12+ST36 acupoints or antiemetic therapy over 5 days. primary and secondary outcomes and Adverse Eventswill be assessed.

Interventions

All participants were supine in the hospital bed. A disposable sterile acupuncture needle (ø 0.30 × 40 mm, Hwato) was inserted vertically at approximately 20-30 mm until De Qi (sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, etc. around the acupoint) was reported by the participants. Then, the needle handle was clamped via a metal clip to connect to the positive electrode of the electric acupuncture apparatus (Huatuo, SDZ-V model, Suzhou Medical Appliance). Another reference electrode was placed 1 cm above the CV12 acupoints of the stimulation point, where no acupoints or meridians passed through. A dilatational wave at a frequency of 2/10 Hz and a current intensity at the highest level tolerated by the patient, with a maximum intensity no more than 10 mA, were used to deliver the EA stimulation. People in the intervention groups were offered a standardized 30-minute EA session once daily from the 1st day of the four-day chemotherapy cycle.

OTHERsingle point Zusanli(ST36) plus antiemetic drug

A disposable sterile acupuncture needle (ø 0.30 × 40 mm, Hwato) was inserted vertically at approximately 20-30 mm until De Qi (sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, etc. around the acupoint) was reported by the participants. Then, the needle handle was clamped via a metal clip to connect to the positive electrode of the electric acupuncture apparatus (Huatuo, SDZ-V model, Suzhou Medical Appliance). Another reference electrode was placed 1cm below ST36 acupoints of the stimulation point, respectively, where no acupoints or meridians passed through. A dilatational wave at a frequency of 2/10 Hz and a current intensity at the highest level tolerated by the patient, with a maximum intensity no more than 10 mA, were used to deliver the EA stimulation. People in the intervention groups were offered a standardized 30-minute EA session once daily from the 1st day of the four-day chemotherapy cycle.

OTHERZusanli(ST36)and Zhongwan(CV12) plus antiemetic drug

Stimulating both Zusanli(ST36)and Zhongwan(CV12)

received routine antiemetic treatment

Sponsors

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Be diagnosed as cancer and need to accept chemotherapy. 2. The score of Karnofsky ≥70 3. Patients of either gender and older than 18 years 4. Patients receiving chemotherapy both outpatients and inpatients 5. Patients receiving chemotherapy either he first or multiple cycle, but the patient will be taken in only one time 6. To receive chemotherapy containing cisplatin(DDP≥75mg/m2) or joint chemotherapy programmes of Anthracyclines(Adriamycin≥40mg/m2 or epirubicin≥60mg/m2) 7. Life expectancy≥ 6 months 8. Willing to participate in the study and be randomized into one of the four study groups.

Exclusion criteria

1. To receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy 2. Gastrointestinal tumors 3. Patients with serious liver disease or abnormal hepatorenal function (AST,ACT, and TBIL are 3 times more than normal, BUN and Cr are 2 times more than normal) 4. Presence of cardiac pacemaker 5. Active skin infection 6. Nausea and/or vomiting resulting from opioids or metabolic imbalance (electrolyte disturbances) 7. Patients unable to provide self-care or communication 8. Nausea and/or vomiting resulting from mechanical risk factors (i.e., intestinal obstruction) 9. Brain metastases 10. Women in pregnant and lactating period

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Nausea and Number of Times of Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy5 daysRhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching was replaced by percentage of participants with nausea (assessed by VAS) and number of times of vomiting occurs which were recorded in the first and second primary outcome.
Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching5 daysThe RINVR scale has 8 items . The scale divides the occurrence of nausea , vomiting , and retching within 12 hours of tumor chemotherapy patients into 5 grades , which are scored from 0 to 4 points . The lower the score , the better . The RINVR scale can be divided into three dimensions : symptom experience time , symptom frequency and symptom severity .
Percentage of Participants With Nausea5 daysPercentage of participants with nausea was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no nausea) to 10 (worst nausea). A score of 0 means no nausea for a portion of the patient's assessment.
Number of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy5 daysThe number of times vomiting occurs after chemotherapy for each participant during 0-120 hours. The evaluator completed daily diaries for each time point.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
the Assessment of Quality of Life5 daysAssessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General (FACT-G) .The FACT-G includes 27 items and is divided among 4 subscales: physical well-being (PWB), functional well-being (FWB), social/family well-being (SWB), and emotional well-being (EWB). The total FACT-G score ranges from 0 to 108 and is calculated by the sum of the subscales, with higher scores indicating greater functional status
Grading of Constipation and Diarrhea5 daysThe grading of constipation and diarrhea.We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.
Electrogastrogram5 daysWe deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.
the Assessment of Anxiety and Depression5 daysAssessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS scale). It includes fourteen items, seven of which assess anxiety and the other seven assess depression (30). The total scores range from 0 to 21 for depression and anxiety, respectively, with higher scores indicating more depression and anxiety.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Blood Routine Examination5 daysWe deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.
Other Adverse Effect During the Chemotherapy5 days
Hepatic and Renal Function5 daysWe deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.
Electrocardiogram5 daysWe deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Countries

China

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

160 patients were enrolled randomly assigned to the CV12 (n = 40), ST36 (n = 40), DA (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. One participant in each of the CV12 and control groups was further excluded due to missing sessions, and one was excluded in the DA group because of repeated enrollment during the study period.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Single Point CV12
choose single point:Zhongwan(CV12).Zhongwan(CV12):On the upper abdomen, 4 B-cun superior to the centre of the umbilicus, on the anterior median line.Manipulating until achieving a de Qi sensation,then the needle is connected through a electro-acupuncture apparatus,the positive pole is linked to the needle, and the reference pole is located near the acupoint about 1cm with a paster. Frequency 10Hz,the intensity of stimulation is adjusted according to the patient's tolerance, and the electric current is less than 10mA.The operation lasts for 30 min. The treatmeat is scheduled to occur within 30min-60min before chemotherapy infusion for 4 days. single point Neiguan(CV12) plus antiemetic drug
40
Single Point ST36
choose another single point Zusanli(ST36).Zusanli(ST36):On the anterior aspect of the leg, on the line connecting ST35 with ST41, 3 B-cun inferior to ST35,located on the tibialis anterior muscle..Manipulating until achieving a de Qi sensation, then the needle is connected through a electro-acupuncture apparatus,the positive pole is linked to the needle, and the reference pole is located near the acupoint about 1cm with a paster. Frequency 10Hz,the intensity of stimulation is adjusted according to the patient's tolerance, and the electric current is less than 10mA.The operation lasts for 30 min. The treatmeat is scheduled to occur within 30min-60min before chemotherapy infusion for 4 days. single point Zusanli(ST36) plus antiemetic drug
40
Matching Points ST36+CV12
Choose both Zusanli(ST36) and Zhongwan(CV12).Manipulating until achieving a de Qi sensation, then the needle is connected through a electro-acupuncture apparatus,the positive pole is linked to the needle, and the reference pole is located near the acupoint about 1cm with a paster. Frequency 10Hz,the intensity of stimulation is adjusted according to the patient's tolerance, and the electric current is less than 10mA.The operation lasts for 30 min. The treatmeat is scheduled to occur within 30min-60min before chemotherapy infusion for 4 days. matching points Zusanli(ST36)and Neiguan(CV12) plus antiemetic drug
39
Only Antiemetics
The control group will receive standard antiemetics alone. Standard antiemetics for all groups are based on American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline. 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) antagonist (Ramosetron , Tropisetron)and dexamethasone are supplied from the first day of chemtherapy,and lasting for 3-5days. If nausea and/or vomiting is persistent and failed to respond to the antiemetic treatment , based on the experience of each clinician, the other advanced 5-HT3 antagonist or a neurokinin 1 antagonist(NK-1) will be chosen. only antiemetic drug
40
Total159

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSingle Point CV12Single Point ST36Matching Points ST36+CV12Only AntiemeticsTotal
Age, Continuous52 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.23
55.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.03
51.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.37
53.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.16
53 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.954
Region of Enrollment
China
40 participants40 participants39 participants40 participants159 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
29 Participants26 Participants30 Participants29 Participants114 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants14 Participants9 Participants11 Participants45 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 390 / 390 / 390 / 40
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 391 / 392 / 391 / 40
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 390 / 390 / 390 / 40

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy

The number of times vomiting occurs after chemotherapy for each participant during 0-120 hours. The evaluator completed daily diaries for each time point.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Single Point CV12Number of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy0.44 number of times for patients
Single Point ST36Number of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy0.54 number of times for patients
ST36+CV12Number of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy0.78 number of times for patients
Only AntiemeticsNumber of Times Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy0.53 number of times for patients
Primary

Percentage of Participants With Nausea

Percentage of participants with nausea was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no nausea) to 10 (worst nausea). A score of 0 means no nausea for a portion of the patient's assessment.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Point CV12Percentage of Participants With Nausea31 percentage of participants
Single Point ST36Percentage of Participants With Nausea47 percentage of participants
ST36+CV12Percentage of Participants With Nausea54 percentage of participants
Only AntiemeticsPercentage of Participants With Nausea53 percentage of participants
Primary

Percentage of Participants With Nausea and Number of Times of Vomiting Occurs After Chemotherapy

Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching was replaced by percentage of participants with nausea (assessed by VAS) and number of times of vomiting occurs which were recorded in the first and second primary outcome.

Time frame: 5 days

Primary

Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching

The RINVR scale has 8 items . The scale divides the occurrence of nausea , vomiting , and retching within 12 hours of tumor chemotherapy patients into 5 grades , which are scored from 0 to 4 points . The lower the score , the better . The RINVR scale can be divided into three dimensions : symptom experience time , symptom frequency and symptom severity .

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected.Due to its relatively weak specificity, the data was not collected. we replaced it with (visual analog scale) VAS and number of times of vomiting occurs which were recorded in the first and second primary outcome.

Secondary

Electrogastrogram

We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected

Secondary

Grading of Constipation and Diarrhea

The grading of constipation and diarrhea.We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected

Secondary

the Assessment of Anxiety and Depression

Assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS scale). It includes fourteen items, seven of which assess anxiety and the other seven assess depression (30). The total scores range from 0 to 21 for depression and anxiety, respectively, with higher scores indicating more depression and anxiety.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Single Point CV12the Assessment of Anxiety and Depression8 score on a scale
Single Point ST36the Assessment of Anxiety and Depression7 score on a scale
ST36+CV12the Assessment of Anxiety and Depression8 score on a scale
Only Antiemeticsthe Assessment of Anxiety and Depression7 score on a scale
Secondary

the Assessment of Quality of Life

Assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General (FACT-G) .The FACT-G includes 27 items and is divided among 4 subscales: physical well-being (PWB), functional well-being (FWB), social/family well-being (SWB), and emotional well-being (EWB). The total FACT-G score ranges from 0 to 108 and is calculated by the sum of the subscales, with higher scores indicating greater functional status

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Single Point CV12the Assessment of Quality of Life47 score on a scale
Single Point ST36the Assessment of Quality of Life47 score on a scale
ST36+CV12the Assessment of Quality of Life45 score on a scale
Only Antiemeticsthe Assessment of Quality of Life45 score on a scale
Other Pre-specified

Blood Routine Examination

We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected

Other Pre-specified

Electrocardiogram

We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected

Other Pre-specified

Hepatic and Renal Function

We deleted this evaluation method due to weak correlation.

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Data were not collected

Other Pre-specified

Other Adverse Effect During the Chemotherapy

Time frame: 5 days

Population: Recorded in Adverse Events

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 8, 2026