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Colorectal CancerNCT05798884

Electro-acupuncture for the Prevention and Treatment of Oxaliplatin-induced Neurotoxicity in Colorectal Cancer Patients

A study testing Acupuncture in people with Colorectal Cancer and Oxaliplatin, run by Hong Kong Baptist University at 1 site in Hong Kong.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

In this study, a 24-week randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind, multicenter clinical trial will be conducted to explore the effect of electroacupuncture for prevention and treatment of both acute and chronic neurotoxicity through both clinical and biological indicators. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 80 years
What is being tested?
Acupuncture
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
150 participants
Where
1 siteHong Kong
Study dates
May 2023to Apr 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • are aged ≥18 years old;
  • are newly diagnosed with stage II to IV colorectal cancer;
  • going to receive adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy within 4 weeks;
  • had not received any acupuncture in the previous 3 months and had a life expectancy ≥ of six months.

Who cannot join

  • are not able to comprehend and communicate;
  • are not able to read Chinese;
  • have prior peripheral neuropathy caused by other diseases including diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and patients with cardiac pacemakers;
  • have a bleeding tendency;
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding;
  • have impaired hepatic or renal function;
  • using any pharmaceutical agents e.g., vitamin B6 and vitamin E, or herbal medication. All the above medication prescribed by physicians or Chinese medicine practitioners during the study will be recorded.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Linda Zhong contact

852-34116523

ldzhong0305@gmail.com

Hong Kong1 site

  • Linda Zhong

    Kowloon Tong, Kowloon

Other trials in Hong Kong

About this study

Official title: Electro-acupuncture for the Prevention and Treatment of Oxaliplatin-induced Neurotoxicity in Colorectal Cancer Patients: a Prospective, Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blinded and Multicenter Study

In this study, a 24-week randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind, multicenter clinical trial will be conducted to explore the effect of electroacupuncture for prevention and treatment of both acute and chronic neurotoxicity through both clinical and biological indicators.

Read the detailed description

This is a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded and multiple center trial on electro-acupuncture for preventing and treating symptoms of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity in patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 150 candidates will be recruited in this study four weeks before chemotherapy for best preventive effect. They will be assigned randomly into either the electro-acupuncture or the sham-control group with 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive a total of 24 sessions of interventions (4 weeks before chemotherapy and 8 weeks during chemotherapy, with 2 session per week), and will be followed up regularly for up to 12 weeks after completion of the acupuncture.

Being tested
Acupuncture, Sham-acupuncture
Medical subject headings
Colorectal Neoplasms, Neurotoxicity Syndromes

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • AcupunctureDevice

    Disposable acupuncture needles (0.25 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length) are straightly into body acupuncture points (he gu (LI4), nei guan (PC6), qu chi (LI12), ba xie (EX-UE9), zu san li (ST36), san yin jiao (SP6), tai chung (LV3) and ba feng (EX-LE10)). The use of ba xie (EX-UE9) and ba feng (EX-LE10) will be optional if skin lesions of hands and feet occur due to Capecitabine (Xeloda). Electrical stimulation will be delivered with continuous waves at 2 Hz, at an intensity of each patient's minimum sensation of stimulation through the electrical acupuncture stimulation instrument. The needles will be retained in position for 25 minutes.

  • Sham-acupunctureDevice

    Streitberger's non-invasive acupuncture needles (Gauge 8 x 1.2"/ 0.30 x 30mm) will be applied to serve as a sham control at the same acupoints with the same stimulation modality and then connecting the needle to the incorrect output socket of the electrical acupuncture stimulation instrument. The sham points are "pseudo stimulation".

Study groups in NCT05798884
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Electro-acupuncture groupExperimentalThe electro-acupuncture intervention will be conducted for 2 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks before and 8 weeks during the chemotherapy. In this study eight acupoints are chosen: he gu (LI4), nei guan (PC6), qu chi (LI12), ba xie (EX-UE9), zu san li (ST36), san yin jiao (SP6), tai chung (LV3) and ba feng (EX-LE10). The use of ba xie (EX-UE9) and ba feng (EX-LE10) will be optional if skin lesions of hands and feet occur due to Capecitabine (Xeloda). Disposable acupuncture needles (verum acupuncture needles Hwato 0.25 x 25mm matching the Streiterger sham needles) will be inserted at a depth of 10-25mm into the points. Electrical stimulation will be delivered with continuous waves at 2 Hz, at an intensity of each patient's minimum sensation of stimulation through the electrical acupuncture stimulation instrument. The needles will be retained in position for 25 minutes.
Receives: Device: Acupuncture
sham-acupuncture groupSham comparatorFor subjects assigned to the sham control group, Streitberger's non-invasive acupuncture needles (Gauge 8 x 1.2"/ 0.30 x 30mm) will be applied to serve as a sham control at the same acupoints with the same stimulation modality, and the stimulation will be a "pseudo stimulation", which will be given by connecting the needle to the incorrect output socket of the electrical acupuncture stimulation instrument.The credibility and validity of this system have been well demonstrated.
Receives: Device: Sham-acupuncture

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Score Changes on the FACT/GOG-Ntx questionnaire

    The questionnaire includes 11 questions covering sensory neuropathy, motor neuropathy, hearing neuropathy, and dysfunction associated with neuropathy, which results in a cumulative score ranging from 0 to 44, with the lower scores reflecting worse neuropathy symptoms.

    Measured: 0-24 weeks; weekly

Secondary outcomes (6)

  1. numerical rating scale (NRS)

    Patients will be asked to rate their average neuropathy symptoms within one week, on an 0 to 10 scale (0=no symptoms; 10=worst possible symptoms), those <4 of 10 NRS will be considered as mild neuropathy while ≥4 of 10 NRS will be considered as moderate to severe neuropathy.

    Measured: 0-24 weeks; weekly

  2. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORCTC) quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30

    A 30-items questionnaire assessing five functional scales (physical, role, cognitive, emotional and social), three symptoms scales (fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting), and other symptoms and problem in cancer patients (dyspnoea, appetite loss, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoea, and financial difficulties).

    Measured: 0,3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 weeks

  3. Constitution of Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ)

    CCMQ has 60 items measuring the 9 body constitution types: gentleness, Qi-deficiency, Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, phlegm-wetness, wetness-heat, blood-stasis, Qi-depression, and special diathesis.

    Measured: 0,12,24 weeks

  4. Vibration sense test

    It will be assessed using the graduated Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork (U.S. Neurologicals, Poulsbo, WA), with printed directions for use and its normative data. Readings will be averaged and recorded as the vibration value.

    Measured: 0-12 week; weekly

  5. Light touch test

    It will be assessed with standard 10g monofilaments, contained within the Neuropen (Owen Mumford, Woodstock, UK). During testing, the fiber will be applied perpendicular to the plantar surface of the great toe and the palmar surface of the index finger until the fiber begins to bend and will be held in place for 1 second and then removed. This procedure will be repeated 3 times and the patient will be asked to report the ability to feel the fibe.

    Measured: 0-12 week; weekly

  6. Short Form 12 item(version 2) Health Survey (SF-12V2)

    The SF-12V2 is a widely used generic HRQoL instrument, and its Chinese version has been validated and normed in the general Chinese population in Hong Kong. It consists of 12 questions measuring eight domains of health, including physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health. The scores are generated using an algorithm to generate a combined physical and mental health score for comparison with normative data. In the normative data: 1) the mean score was set to 50; 2) a score > 50 indicated better physical or mental health than the mean; 3) a score < 50 indicated worse physical or mental health than the mean.

    Measured: 0-12 week; weekly

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Apr 2023
  2. Study startMay 2023 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJan 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionApr 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05798884
Sponsor's protocol ID
2020HMRF
Status last verified
Apr 2023
First submitted
9 Mar 2023
Last updated
5 Apr 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Hospital Authority. Hong Kong Cancer Registry. https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/ (accessed on 29 March 2021)

  • Engstrom PF, Arnoletti JP, Benson AB 3rd, Chen YJ, Choti MA, Cooper HS, Covey A, Dilawari RA, Early DS, Enzinger PC, Fakih MG, Fleshman J Jr, Fuchs C, Grem JL, Kiel K, Knol JA, Leong LA, Lin E, Mulcahy MF, Rao S, Ryan DP, Saltz L, Shibata D, Skibber JM, Sofocleous C, Thomas J, Venook AP, Willett C; National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: colon cancer. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2009 Sep;7(8):778-831. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2009.0056. No abstract available.

    PubMed 19755046

  • Tofthagen C, Donovan KA, Morgan MA, Shibata D, Yeh Y. Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy's effects on health-related quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2013 Dec;21(12):3307-13. doi: 10.1007/s00520-013-1905-5. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

    PubMed 23903798

  • Sato J, Mori M, Nihei S, Takeuchi S, Kashiwaba M, Kudo K. Objective evaluation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy using quantitative pain measurement system (Pain Vision(R)), a pilot study. J Pharm Health Care Sci. 2017 Jul 25;3:21. doi: 10.1186/s40780-017-0089-4. eCollection 2017.

    PubMed 28770097

  • Wang X, Wei G, Huo J. Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. Jilin J Chinese Med 2013; 5: 465-467.

  • Brami C, Bao T, Deng G. Natural products and complementary therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016 Feb;98:325-34. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.11.014. Epub 2015 Nov 23.

    PubMed 26652982

  • Hershman DL, Lacchetti C, Dworkin RH, Lavoie Smith EM, Bleeker J, Cavaletti G, Chauhan C, Gavin P, Lavino A, Lustberg MB, Paice J, Schneider B, Smith ML, Smith T, Terstriep S, Wagner-Johnston N, Bak K, Loprinzi CL; American Society of Clinical Oncology. Prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in survivors of adult cancers: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jun 20;32(18):1941-67. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.54.0914. Epub 2014 Apr 14.

    PubMed 24733808

  • Greenlee H, Crew KD, Capodice J, Awad D, Buono D, Shi Z, Jeffres A, Wyse S, Whitman W, Trivedi MS, Kalinsky K, Hershman DL. Randomized sham-controlled pilot trial of weekly electro-acupuncture for the prevention of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy in women with early stage breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016 Apr;156(3):453-464. doi: 10.1007/s10549-016-3759-2. Epub 2016 Mar 25.

    PubMed 27013473

  • Han X, Wang L, Shi H, Zheng G, He J, Wu W, Shi J, Wei G, Zheng W, Sun J, Huang H, Cai Z. Acupuncture combined with methylcobalamin for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer. 2017 Jan 9;17(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12885-016-3037-z.

    PubMed 28068938

  • Rostock M, Jaroslawski K, Guethlin C, Ludtke R, Schroder S, Bartsch HH. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: a four-arm randomized trial on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:349653. doi: 10.1155/2013/349653. Epub 2013 Aug 28.

    PubMed 24066010

  • Derksen TM, Bours MJ, Mols F, Weijenberg MP. Lifestyle-Related Factors in the Self-Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:7916031. doi: 10.1155/2017/7916031. Epub 2017 Mar 16.

    PubMed 28400846

  • Chan K, Lui L, Yu K, Lau K, Lai M, Lau W, Ng B, Zhong LLD, Bian ZX. The efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture for alleviating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with coloreactal cancer: study protocol for a single-blinded, randomized sham-controlled trial. Trials. 2020 Jan 9;21(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3972-5.

    PubMed 31918748

  • Lu Z, Moody J, Marx BL, Hammerstrom T. Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Integrative Oncology: A Survey of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practitioners. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Dec;23(12):964-970. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0052. Epub 2017 Jun 29.

    PubMed 28661695

  • Shin KM, Kim JH, Lee S, Shin MS, Kim TH, Park HJ, Lee MH, Hong KE, Lee S, Choi SM. Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow): study protocol for a randomized, practitioner-assessor blinded, controlled pilot clinical trial. Trials. 2013 Jun 14;14:174. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-174.

    PubMed 23768129

  • Xie CC, Wen XY, Jiang L, Xie MJ, Fu WB. Validity of the "streitberger" needle in a chinese population with acupuncture: a randomized, single-blinded, and crossover pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:251603. doi: 10.1155/2013/251603. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

    PubMed 23983775

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Acupuncture in people with Colorectal Cancer and Oxaliplatin, run by Hong Kong Baptist University at 1 site in Hong Kong.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Apr 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Linda Zhong (852-34116523, ldzhong0305@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Score Changes on the FACT/GOG-Ntx questionnaire (time frame: 0-24 weeks; weekly). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05798884, which also lists 26 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Apr 2023; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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