Managing Pain and Symptom Burden Caused by Chemotherapy in People With Myeloma or Lymphoma

Opioid-Sparing Pain Treatment In Myeloma And Lymphoma Patients Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy (OPTIMAL-HiChemo): Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to find out whether acupuncture treatments can reduce the need for opioid medication when managing pain caused by chemotherapy. The study will compare the effects of adding acupuncture to usual pain management with those of usual pain management alone, in reducing opioid use by relieving pain. Researchers also want to find out more about the effects of acupuncture treatments on other symptoms caused by cancer treatments and quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 or older
• pathological diagnosis of MM, HD or NHL
• scheduled for high dose chemotherapy for auto-HSCT in the following month (30 days)
• not taking opioids regularly in the week prior to consent (one-time dosing of opioids for a painful procedure is allowed)

Exclusion Criteria:

• absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <500/μl, platelet count of <20,000/ μl or INR >2.0
• acupuncture within two weeks prior to HiChemo (to avoid residual effects of acupuncture)
• unable to provide informed consent