Acupuncture treatment of breast cancer after chemotherapy in patients with cognitive impairment caused by 'disorder of qi and blood': a randomized single-blind study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN12049699 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12049699 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 2014GG-19 |
- Submission date
- 10/12/2014
- Registration date
- 25/03/2015
- Last edited
- 25/03/2015
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Cancer
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
In recent years, the treatment of cognitive dysfunction caused by breast cancer chemotherapy has received more and more attention. The purpose of this study is to determine whether acupuncture is effective in managing patients with cognitive impairment after chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Who can participate?
Women aged between 25-55 years old with a history of breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy and with evidence of cognitive dysfunction.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: the treatment group or the control group. Women in the treatment group will be given acupuncture twice a week for 2 months. The control group will be given acupuncture at five feint (dummy) points twice a week for 2 months. Participants will complete questionnaires at the start of the study and every month after that to find out about changes in cognitive function, intelligence and quality of life. Participants will undergo certain tests before and after treatment in order to find out the safety and effectiveness. Participants will be followed up after two months and four months to assess long-term effectiveness.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All participants will receive free treatment for 2 months and a series of free tests. The symptoms of the cognitive dysfunction could be relieved. The results of this study may help to provide evidence that acupuncture treatment of cognitive impairment is safe and effective. You have to visit the hospital regularly, which may be inconvenient and may disturb your routine. Acupuncture treatment can lead to curved needle, needle breakage, and adverse reactions such as subcutaneous hematoma. Therefore, at the same time as acupuncture therapy a safety assessment will be carried out. If there is a threat to personal safety we will immediately stop acupuncture and take the appropriate treatment measures.
Where is the study run from?
Participants are recruited at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2014 to September 2015.
Who is funding the study?
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Qing Zhang
zhangqingys@sina.com
Contact information
Scientific
No.23 Back Road of Gallery
Dong Cheng District
Beijing
100010
China
Study information
| Study design | Randomised single-blinded placebo-controlled study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Scientific title | Randomized, single-blind, sham acupuncture-controlled trial of acupuncture treatment of breast cancer after chemotherapy in patients with cognitive impairment caused by 'disorder of qi and blood' |
| Study objectives | The purpose of this study is to determine whether acupuncture is effective in managing patients with cognitive impairment after chemotherapy for breast cancer. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Not provided at time of registration – submission pending |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Breast cancer after chemotherapy in patients with cognitive impairment |
| Intervention | The 100 eligible participants are randomly allocated to two different groups: 1. Treatment group: acupuncture will be given at Zusanli (ST 36) Point、Xuhai Point、Tanzhong Point、Zhongwan Point、Qihai (CV 6) Point、Baihui(GV 20) Point、Fengfu Point、Xinshu(bl 15) Point、Yixi (bl 45) Point、Tongli (ht 5) Point and Zhaohai (KI 6) Point twice a week for 2 months. The patients receive assessments every month during the treatment and the second month and the fourth month after the treatment. 2. Control group: acupuncture will be given at five feint points twice a week for 2 months. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment （MoCA）to assess cognitive function. To observe the cognitive ability of patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy with cognitive dysfunction. The outcome measure above will be assessed before the treatment, at 1 month and 2 months during the treatment; the assessments will be repeated at the second and fourth months after the treatment. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Using the Mini-mental State Examination to assess immediate memory, attention, computing power, etc. 2. Using the EORTC QLQ-30 to assess the quality of life. The outcome measures above will be assessed before the treatment, at 1 month and 2 months during the treatment; the assessments will be repeated at the second and fourth months after the treatment. 3. Safety assessment. Acupuncture treatment can lead to curved needle, needle breakage and adverse reactions such as subcutaneous hematoma, therefore we will evaluate the safety of acupuncture. |
| Overall study start date | 01/10/2014 |
| Completion date | 30/09/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Female |
| Target number of participants | 100 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Patients with breast cancer at the age of 25 to 55 years old 2. Neuropsychological evidence of cognitive impairment 3. In the 28 months after chemotherapy according to DSM-IV diagnosis of cognitive impairment 4. According to the MoCA score < 26 points, determining with cognitive dysfunction 5. There is a causal relationship between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment, and except for other diseases 6. The type of traditional Chinese medicine is a disorder of qi and blood 7. At least one field of cognitive dysfunction 8. Diagnosis of dementia standard has not yet arrived 9. Have signed informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Because of the depression, thyroid disease, traumatic brain injuries, drug or alcohol poisoning cause cognitive impairment 2. Patients with severe aphasia, depression and mental illness 3. Patients with severe heart, liver, lung, kidney damage caused by cognitive decline and hematopoietic system, endocrine system, severe primary disease 4. Patients can affect the cognitive function of drugs |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2016 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centre
Dong Cheng District
Beijing
100010
China
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
No.23, Back Road of Gallery
Dong Cheng District
Beijing
100010
China
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/057vq6e26 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | To be confirmed at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
