Acupuncture for Pain Control in Patients With Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer of Pancreas, Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Cancer of Pancreas focused on measuring Cancer of pancreas, Acupuncture, Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- All patients ≥ 18 years old with cytology or histology confirmed pancreatic cancer
- Abdominal pain typical for pancreatic cancer
- Inoperability of pancreatic cancer as demonstrated by computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) scan or endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).
- Informed consent available
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who are allergic to the acupuncture needles
- Coagulopathy (prolongation of prothrombin time > 18 sec, thrombocytopenia <80,000 platelets/ml)
- Another cause for abdominal pain such as pseudocyst, ulcer or other intra-abdominal disorder
- Had been treated by acupuncture for pancreatic cancer within 1 year
- Potential patient noncompliance (refusing to follow schedule of events)
- Active alcohol or other drug use or significant psychiatric illness
- Expected survival less than 3 months
- Unable to give informed consent
Sites / Locations
- Department of Surgery; The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
Electroacupuncture
Sham
A Hong Kong registered Chinese Medicine practitioner will give Electroacupuncture treatments. Patients will be treated in a comfortable prone position. Jiaji (Ex-B2) points form T8 to T12 bilaterally are chosen based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and neurophysiologic basis of Jiaji points. After De Qi sensation is achieved, the handles of needles on homolateral T8-T12 Jiaji are respectively connected to the Han's acupoint nerve stimulator at a frequency of 2/100 Hz and a current of 1 mA with a disperse-dense waveform. The needles remained for 30 min. The treatment was given twice weekly on week 1 and week 3.
For placebo acupuncture, sham placebo acupuncture needles (DongBang AcuPrime Acupuncture Inc., South Korea) will be used. Its validity and credibility have been well demonstrated. The needles with blunt tips are quickly put onto the same points used in the electroacupuncture group without inserting into the skin. The needles on homolateral T8 and T12 Jiaji are then connected to the electric stimulator, but with zero frequency and electric current.