Acupuncture for Symptom Control in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients

Acupuncture for Symptom Control in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: A Pilot Study

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial to obtain preliminary data for the design of a future definitive efficacy study. A randomized controlled trial is needed because comparison to historical data would be biased. The investigators will use sham acupuncture as the control to account for effect from attention from and interaction with the therapist.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21 or above (those age below 21 are usually treated in the Pediatric Transplant Service)
• Diagnosis of multiple myeloma
• Scheduled to receive conditioning chemotherapy followed by upfront or salvage autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absolute neutrophil count less than 200/microliter
• Platelet count less than 20,000/microliter
• Acupuncture treatment in the preceding 4 weeks prior to Day 1