Clinical Trial: Efficacy Study of Acupuncture to Treat the Upper Abdominal Pain of Cancer Patients

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Pilot Study of Acupuncture to Alleviate the Upper Abdominal Pain of Cancer Patients Treated With Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block

Brief Summary: This study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture for alleviating the upper abdominal pain of cancer patients

Detailed Summary: Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is a commonly performed procedure in patients with intractable pain due to malignancies involving the upper and mid abdomen. Recently, acupuncture is used as one of alternative interventions to treat cancer-related pains. This pilot study aims to investigate the effectiveness of pain-relief of acupuncture via comparing acupuncture plus NCPB with NCPB alone. Total 14 cancer patients with NCPB will be randomized into two groups of acupuncture and control.
Sponsor: Daegu Catholic University Medical Center

Current Primary Outcome: Visual analogue scale(VAS) [ Time Frame: Change from baseline to 2 weeks ]

The patients will be required to document 100mm pain VAS, where '0' represents 'no pain' and '100', 'unbearable pain'. The change of pain will be reported by comparing the mean VAS before treatment, after 1 week, after 2 week, and 1 week follow-up.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Analgesic drug consumption [ Time Frame: Change from baseline to 2 weeks ]

Drug consumption per day will be documented before treatment, after 1 week, after 2 week, and 1 week follow-up.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Daegu Catholic University Medical Center

Dates:
Date Received: July 29, 2013
Date Started: March 2013
Date Completion: March 2014
Last Updated: January 28, 2014
Last Verified: January 2014