We're building a better ClinicalTrials.gov. Check it out and tell us what you think!
Try the New Site
We're building a modernized ClinicalTrials.gov! Visit Beta.ClinicalTrials.gov to try the new functionality.
Working…
ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov Menu

Acupressure for Persistent Cancer Related Fatigue (AcuCrft)

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01281904
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : January 24, 2011
Last Update Posted : August 6, 2015
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Suzanna Zick, University of Michigan

Study Description
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information
Brief Summary:

There are over 2 million breast cancer survivors today. Persistent Cancer-Related fatigue (PCRF), a state of being tired or weary, is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by breast cancer (BC) survivors. Rates of significant PCRF in BC survivors range from 30% to 82% within the first 5-years of diagnosis and there are few treatment options for PCRF and these treatments require the availability of a trained practitioner, are associated with significant costs, pose a sizeable burden for the patient, or have unacceptable side-effects.

Acupressure is a technique derived from acupuncture, a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In acupressure, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices to treat disease. Pilot studies have demonstrated that self-administered acupressure can significantly decrease PCRF by as much as 70% in cancer survivors. Acupressure can also have positive effects on sleep quality in cancer patients and other chronically ill populations. Self-administered acupressure is a non-toxic and inexpensive treatment that requires minimal instruction. It also requires little effort and time on the part of the patient to successfully complete. Thus, acupressure appears to be a promising treatment for PCRF and associated symptoms.

The investigators are conducting a single-blind, placebo controlled study to examine the specific effect of two opposing acupressure treatments compared to standard of care. The goal of this study is to determine the benefit of acupressure on treating persistent fatigue experience by many patients after completing their cancer treatment. Study patients will be randomized into one of three groups: two different types of acupressure or a standard of care arm. For those participants randomized to receive acupressure, the technique will be taught to them by a study nurse trained by an acupressure specialist. Participants will be asked to perform the acupressure daily over the next six weeks, during which time they will record their fatigue and be asked to wear an activity monitor to have their daily activity levels monitored.


Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Chronic Fatigue Breast Cancer Sleepiness Behavioral: Relaxation Acupressure Behavioral: Stimulating Acupressure Phase 2 Phase 3

Study Design
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Layout table for study information
Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 288 participants
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Acupressure for Persistent Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors
Study Start Date : April 2011
Actual Primary Completion Date : September 2014
Actual Study Completion Date : September 2014

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus related topics: Fatigue

Arms and Interventions
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Arm Intervention/treatment
No Intervention: Standard of Care
Participants randomized into the standard of care group will be asked to continue following the instructions of the healthcare provider throughout the 10 week study period. They will not be asked to perform any study intervention.
Active Comparator: Relaxation Acupressure
In addition to their standard of care, participants will be asked to apply pressure on each of 9 acupressure points (bilaterally where indicated) that have been carefully selected for their relaxing effect. (There are 5 acupoints with 4 of the acupoints performed on both the left and the right sides of the body giving a total of 9 points to stimulate. Each of the 9 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point giving a total treatment time of 27 minutes done once daily over a period of 6 weeks followed by 4 weeks of intervention wash-out where the participant will be asked to perform no acupressure at all.
 Behavioral: Relaxation Acupressure
Apply pressure on 9 relaxatory acupressure points for 3 minutes each once daily for a 6 week period, followed by a 4 week wash-out period.
Active Comparator: Stimulating Acupressure
In addition to their standard of care, participants will be asked to apply pressure on each of 9 acupressure points (bilaterally where indicated) that have been carefully selected for their excitatory effect. (There are 5 acupoints with 4 of the acupoints performed on both the left and the right sides of the body giving a total of 9 points to stimulate. There are 6 acupoints with 4 of the acupoints performed on both the left and the right sides of the body giving a total of 10 points to stimulate. Each of the 10 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point giving a total treatment time of 30 minutes done once daily over a period of 6 weeks followed by 4 weeks of intervention wash-out where the participant will be asked to perform no acupressure at all.
 Behavioral: Stimulating Acupressure
Apply pressure on 10 excitatory acupressure points for 3 minutes each once daily for a 6 week period, followed by a 4 week wash-out period.


Outcome Measures
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. The effect of 6-weeks of Relaxation Acupressure compared to a regime of Stimulating Acupressure or standard of care on fatigue. [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

Secondary Outcome Measures :
  1. The effect of 6-weeks of Relaxation Acupressure compared to a regime of Stimulating Acupressure or standard of care on sleep quality [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]
  2. Onset and duration of acupressure effect. [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

Eligibility Criteria
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Information from the National Library of Medicine

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.


Layout table for eligibility information
Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Diagnosis of breast cancer
  • Have completed all cancer related treatments (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.) at least 1 year prior to enrollment except for hormone therapy which must have been initiated at least three weeks prior to enrollment
  • Apparently cancer-free
  • Able to self-administer acupressure
  • Have a complaint of persistent, moderate to severe fatigue despite standard treatment [defined as ≥ 4 on the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI)]
  • Able to maintain typical dietary (eating and drinking) patterns, especially the use of caffeinated beverages throughout the study
  • Willing to participate in an 11-week clinical trial that involves 5 study visits (not including the screening visit, as well as weekly phone calls

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant (per urine pregnancy test), wanting to become pregnant or Lactating
  • Diagnosis of anemia or receiving treatment for it
  • Have any comorbidities likely to cause significant fatigue (i.e., moderate to severe heart failure, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome) either currently or before cancer diagnosis
  • Have a diagnosis of depression, receiving active treatment for depression, or have HADS score of ≥11
  • Currently taking medication for insomnia
  • Have an initiation, cessation or change of dose (up to three weeks prior to the study's start) of any chronic medications or dietary supplements or any planned change of chronic medications or dietary supplements during the study
  • Had acupuncture or acupressure within the last 6 months
Contacts and Locations
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01281904


Locations
Layout table for location information
United States, Michigan
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48106
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Michigan
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Investigators
Layout table for investigator information
Principal Investigator: Suzanna M Zick, ND, MPH University of Michigan
More Information
Go to 
Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information
Publications:

Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Layout table for additonal information
Responsible Party: Suzanna Zick, Research Associate Professor, University of Michigan
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01281904    
Other Study ID Numbers: CA151445
R01CA151445 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
First Posted: January 24, 2011    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: August 6, 2015
Last Verified: August 2015
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Layout table for MeSH terms
Breast Neoplasms
Fatigue
Sleepiness
Neoplasms by Site
 Neoplasms
Breast Diseases
Skin Diseases