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Breast CancerNCT03232541

The Effects of Acupuncture and the Therapist´s Communication on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting

A study testing Genuine acupuncture in people with Breast Cancer and Colorectal Cancer, run by Västernorrland County Council, Sweden at 1 site in Sweden.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and burdensome side-effect of emetogenic chemotherapy. CINV affects both the patient's quality of life and induces high costs within the health-care system. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Bladder Cancer
What is being tested?
Genuine acupuncture
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
198 participants
Where
1 siteSweden
Study dates
1 Sep 2017to 15 Aug 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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients of at least 18 years of age
  • Breast, colorectal, bladder, or testicular cancer
  • Receiving adjuvant or neo-adjuvant intravenous chemotherapy inducing medium or high risk for emesis
  • Willing and capable to give their informed consent and to take part of the treatment and data collection procedure

Who cannot join

  • Consumption of antiemetics or experiences of persistent nausea, which will persist within 24 hours prior to the start of the chemotherapy session
  • Hemophilia
  • Former participation in the same study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Sweden1 site
  • Sundsvall Hospital

    Sundsvall, SE-85186

Other trials in Sweden

About this study

Official title: The Effects of Acupuncture and the Therapist´s Communication on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting: a Randomized, Sham-controlled Trial

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and burdensome side-effect of emetogenic chemotherapy. CINV affects both the patient's quality of life and induces high costs within the health-care system. Many patients are interested in acupuncture, despite weak scrientific evidence for its effects beside non-specific effects. Few credibly sham-controlled studies have previously been conducted. The therapist's care and communication during acupuncture as well as during standard care may induce non-specific effects, such as placebo effects, potentially driven by the patient's expectations. It is not known if the type of communication, in terms of how positive the therapist communicates regarding expected effects, affects the effect of antiemetic treatments.

Aims: To investigate if CINV, treatment expectancy and quality of life differ between patients who receive A) standard care including antiemetics, B) standard care plus sham acupuncture or C) standard treatment plus genuine acupuncture by a therapist who emphasizes the positive expected outcomes of the treatment, compared to a therapist who communicates neutral regarding the expected outcomes.

Read more

Procedure: The eligible patients will be randomized to A) standard antiemetic treatment or to B) standard antiemetic treatment plus sham acupuncture or C) standard antiemetic treatment plus genuine acupuncture. Within the three groups, the patients are randomized to receive either neutral or positive communication from the therapist during the treatment.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome is intensity of nausea within the five days after the chemotherapy session in patients receiving positive or neutral communication. Data collection of nausea and vomiting, expectations, and quality of life is performed at baseline the day before the studied chemotherapy session, during 10 days after the studied chemotherapy session, and at a follow-up ten days after the last chemotherapy session.

Read the detailed description

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and burdensome side-effect of emetogenic chemotherapy. CINV affects both the patient's quality of life and induces high costs within the health-care system. Many patients are interested in acupuncture, despite weak scrientific evidence for its effects beside non-specific effects. Few credibly sham-controlled studies have previously been conducted. The therapist's care and communication during acupuncture as well as during standard antiemetic treatment may induce non-specific effects, such as placebo effects, potentially driven by the patient's expectations. It is not known if the type of communication, in terms of how positive the therapist communicates regarding expected effects, affects the effect of antiemetic treatments.

Aims: To investigate if CINV, treatment expectancy and quality of life differ between patients who receive A) standard antiemetic treatment, B) standard antiemetic treatment plus sham acupuncture or C) standard antiemetic treatment plus genuine acupuncture by a therapist who emphasizes the positive expected outcomes of the treatment, compared to a therapist who communicates neutral regarding the expected outcomes.

Procedure: Patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer at three Swedish oncology departments will receive written and oral study information and are screened for study criteria. The eligible patients will be randomized to A) standard antiemetic treatment or to B) standard antiemetic treatment plus sham acupuncture or C) standard antiemetic treatment plus genuine acupuncture. Within the three groups, the patients are randomized to receive either neutral or positive communication from the therapist during the treatment.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome is intensity of nausea within the five days after the chemotherapy session in patients receiving positive or neutral communication. Data collection of nausea and vomiting, expectations, and quality of life is performed at baseline the day before the studied chemotherapy session, during 10 days after the studied chemotherapy session, and at a follow-up ten days after the last chemotherapy session.

Qualitative interviews regarding the patients' experiences of the communication with the professionals are conducted with a strategicaly selected group of patients from all randomization combinations. The selection aims to provide heterogenicity.

Being tested
Standard care, Sham acupuncture, Genuine acupuncture
Keywords
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, Expectations
Medical subject headings
Breast Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms, Vomiting

What participants receive

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

  • Standard careOther

    1. Standard antiemetic treatment means receiving ordinary antiemetic medications. Within the group, the patients will be randomized to two communication types: 1) neutral communication or 2) strengthened positive communication regarding expected antiemetic effects of their treatment, using a standardized communication model.
  • Sham acupunctureDevice

    1. Sham acupuncture is administered bilaterally to a non-acupuncture point two body-inches proximal and one body-inch radial from PC6 using the telescopic Park Sham Device. The sham-needle is blunt and glides upward into its handle instead of penetrating. Marking tubes hold the needle in place. The therapist gives an illusion of manipulating the needle by turning it three times until it touches the skin, but no specific needle sensation ("deqi") will occur. Within the group, the patients will be randomized to two communication types: 1) neutral communication or 2) strengthened positive communication regarding expected antiemetic effects of their treatment, using a standardized communication model.
  • Genuine acupunctureDevice

    1. Acupuncture will be administered bilaterally to the standard antiemetic point PC6 located two body-inches proximal of the wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. Sharp acupuncture needles will be inserted into a depth of a half body-inch. The needles will be manipulated three times (at the start, middle and end of the treatment session) by twirling and lifting until deqi occurres. Within the group, the patients will be randomized to two communication types: 1) neutral communication or 2) strengthened positive communication regarding expected antiemetic effects of their treatment, using a standardized communication model.
Study groups in NCT03232541
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Standard care (A)OtherStandard antiemetic treatment (A) with neutral communication (A1) or positive communication (A2)
Receives: Other: Standard care
Sham acupuncture (B)Placebo comparatorStandard antiemetic treatment plus Sham acupuncture (B) with neutral communication (B1) or positive communication (B2)
Receives: Device: Sham acupuncture
Genuine acupuncture (C)ExperimentalStandard antiemetic treatment plus Genuine acupuncture (C) with neutral communication (C1) or positive communication (C2)
Receives: Device: Genuine acupuncture

What is being measured

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

  1. Average nausea intensity day 1-5 (the day of the current chemotherapy session and the four following days).

    Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

    Measured: In the morning of day 1-5 (the day of chemotherapy and the four following days).

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. The patient´s treatment expectations

    Visual analogue scale (VAS)

    Measured: Every morning day 1-10 (the day of the current chemotherapy session and the 10 following days).

  2. Level of well-being

    Visual analogue scale (VAS)

    Measured: Four times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 5 and 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  3. Level of well-being

    EQ-5D

    Measured: Three times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  4. Level of well-being

    FACT-G

    Measured: Three times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  5. Level of activity

    Verbal category scales

    Measured: Four times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 5 and 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  6. Quality of life

    Visual analogue scale (VAS)

    Measured: Four times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 5 and10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  7. Quality of life

    EQ-5D

    Measured: Three times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  8. Quality of life

    FACT-G

    Measured: Three times: The day before the current chemotherapy session, 10 days after the current chemotherapy session, and 10 days after the very last chemotherapy session.

  9. Impact of nausea on daily activities

    Visual analogue scale (VAS)

    Measured: Two times: 5 and 10 days after the current chemotherapy session.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted28 Jul 2017
  2. Study start1 Sep 2017
  3. Primary completion23 Jun 2025
  4. Study completion15 Aug 2025

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
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
198 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03232541
Sponsor's protocol ID
Emesis 001
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
24 Jul 2017
Last updated
24 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Sara L F, Ylva W, Marit S, Anna E. The Significance of Communication and Treatment Expectations in Cancer Care: An Interview Study With Cancer Care Practitioners. Integr Cancer Ther. 2025 Jan-Dec;24:15347354251370781. doi: 10.1177/15347354251370781. Epub 2025 Sep 19.

    PubMed 40970276
  • Ylva W, Per F, Erling E, Anna E. Design of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial: Strengthening Positive Treatment Expectations Using a Communication Model for Maximized Antiemetic Effects of Acupuncture and Antiemetics During Emetogenic Neo-/Adjuvant Chemotherapy. Integr Cancer Ther. 2025 Jan-Dec;24:15347354251361464. doi: 10.1177/15347354251361464. Epub 2025 Aug 22.

    PubMed 40844814

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Genuine acupuncture in people with Breast Cancer and Colorectal Cancer, run by Västernorrland County Council, Sweden at 1 site in Sweden.

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 3 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 2025. 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 Sweden. 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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Average nausea intensity day 1-5 (the day of the current chemotherapy session and the four following days). (time frame: In the morning of day 1-5 (the day of chemotherapy and the four following days).). 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 NCT03232541, which also lists 2 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 24 Aug 2025.

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