Adjunctive Effect of Acupuncture for Advanced Cancer Patients With Palliative Care: a Three-arm Randomized Trial

The Adjunctive Effect of Acupuncture for Advanced Cancer Patients in a Collaborative Model of Palliative Care: a Three-arm Pragmatic Randomized Trial

The proposed study aims to evaluate the adjunctive effect of MA with standard care (ASC) for relieving cancer-related symptoms in a collaborative model of palliative care compared to sham MA plus standard care (SSC) or standard care alone (SC).

After being informed about the study plan, potential risk and benefits, all subjects will give written informed consent prior to participation and undergo eligibility screening. Eligible participants will be randomized into three arms, ASC, SSC, and SC, in a 2:1:1 ratio.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All cases are subject to pathology and (or) cytology for a diagnosis of malignant tumour (pathological type is not restricted) at stage IIIB or IV;
• Aged 18 years or above;
• Expected survival time longer than 16 weeks;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation or severe thrombocytopenia with a bleeding tendency, i.e., low platelet count < 35000/µL; INR > 1.5; hemoglobin ≤ 90 g/dL; white blood cell count ≤ 4x109/L;
• Uncontrolled active skin infection;
• Needle phobia;
• Inability to read and understand Chinese;
• Not signed written informed consent.
• Receiving surgery during the whole study period;
• Receiving acupuncture treatment in the last 3 months