Implementing Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Into Palliative Care

Implementing Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Into Palliative Care: A Randomized Controlled Open-label Clinical Trial

In this clinical trial we want to investigate the clinical benefit of a complementary therapy using therapeutical modalities of the traditional chinese medicine in patients suffering from advanced cancer.

After giving informed consent, the participants will be randomized into two groups (1:1). Both groups will receive standard care while one group will additionally be assigned to a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) who will deliver a individual treatment according to the needs of the participant (pragmatic approach).

Outcome measures will be monitored over the course of eight weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• One of the following tumor entities

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC)
  • Lung cancer (SCLC, NSCLC)
  • Breast cancer (BC)
  • Pancreas/Cholangiocellular cancer

• Best supportive care (i.e., no currently ongoing tumor-specific therapy)

  o Exception: palliative anti-hormonal therapy or palliative radiotherapy

• Performance status: ECOG 0 to 2

• Estimated life expectancy > 4 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any serious concomitant systemic disorder
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Impossibility to attend TCM practices in Graz
• Incapacity to comply/consent
• Language barrier
• Brain metastases