Acupoint Application for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Lung Cancer

Acupoint Application Combined With 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Lung Cancer Patients: A Single-Center, Randomized, Controlled Trial

This single-center, randomized, controlled study evaluates whether acupoint application added to standard 5-HT3 receptor antagonist anti-nausea medication improves control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults with lung cancer receiving first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acupoint application plus a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist or the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alone for one chemotherapy cycle. The study will compare complete control of delayed nausea and vomiting between the two groups.

Adults with pathologically confirmed lung cancer who are scheduled to receive first-line platinum-based chemotherapy are eligible. After providing written informed consent, participants are randomized 1:1 to receive either acupoint application using a herbal plaster applied to selected acupoints plus standard 5-HT3 receptor antagonist prophylaxis, or 5-HT3 receptor antagonist prophylaxis alone. Nausea and vomiting episodes are recorded by participants using patient diaries, and quality of life is assessed with the Functional Living Index-Emesis questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pathologically or cytologically confirmed lung cancer.
• Scheduled to receive first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
• Aged 18 to 75 years.
• Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ≥ 60.
• Expected survival ≥ 3 months.
• Voluntarily signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy to any component of the acupoint plaster.
• Severe skin disease, infection, or breakdown at the planned acupoint sites. --Pregnant or lactating women.
• Cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorder that prevents completion of study assessments.
• Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment.