Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Constipation in Patients With Advanced Cancer

Chang Gung Medical Foundation

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Advanced Cancer; Constipation

Treatments: Procedure: Laser acupuncture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04318808

CMRPG8K0031

Details and patient eligibility

About

Constipation is one of the most common complications in patients with advanced cancer.

The aim of this protocol designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial is to investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture (LA) therapy on constipation in patients with advanced cancer.

Enrollment: 74 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 20 years or older
• Principal diagnosis of advanced cancer
• Diagnosis of constipation
• Treat with laxatives for at least 1 week but still have symptoms of constipation

Exclusion criteria

• Intestinal obstruction
• Disturbance of consciousness
• Active gastrointestinal bleeding
• Active intraabdominal infection
• Local skin infection on the acupoints or limb amputees.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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74 participants in 2 patient groups

LA group

Experimental group

Description:

The subjects in the experimental group will receive 0.375 J of energy at each of the following acupoints: LI4 (Hegu, B3), LI11 (Quchi, B2), PC6 (Neiguan, B3), ST36 (Zusanli, B2), ST37 (Shangjuxu, B2), ST39 (Xiajuxu, B2), SP4 (Gongsun, B3) , SP9 (Yinlingquan, B2).

Treatment:

Procedure: Laser acupuncture

Control group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

The subjects in the control group will receive sham LA treatment, without any laser output (no stimulation) at the same acupoints used in experimental group.

Treatment:

Procedure: Laser acupuncture