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Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Sponsor: China Medical University, Taiwan
Summary
This three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of needle acupuncture and laser acupuncture compared with placebo (sham) laser acupuncture as supportive care for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, Stage IIIB-IV). The study aims to investigate improvements in lung cancer-specific quality of life, symptom burden, functional status, and sleep quality over a 6 to 8-week intervention period.
Official title: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial of Needle Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture as Supportive Care for Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
90
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2029-07-31
Last Updated
2026-10-19
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Needle Acupuncture
Participants receive standardized needle acupuncture applied bilaterally to core points (ST36, SP6, LI4, LU7) and unilaterally to GV20, plus 2-4 syndrome-directed optional points. Sterile, single-use disposable needles are manually stimulated to elicit de qi sensation and retained for 20-25 minutes per session. Treatment is administered twice weekly for 6-8 weeks (total 12-16 sessions).
Laser Acupuncture
Participants receive active low-level laser acupuncture applied to the same core and symptom-directed acupuncture points as the needle group. Standardized laser parameters include wavelength of 650-830 nm, output power of 20-50 mW, energy dose of 1-3 Joules per point, and application time of 30-60 seconds per point. Sessions are delivered twice weekly for 6-8 weeks (total 12-16 sessions).
Sham Laser Acupuncture
Participants receive sham laser acupuncture using an identical device that emits no therapeutic laser energy, applied to the identical acupuncture points and for the same treatment duration as the active laser group twice weekly for 6-8 weeks (total 12-16 sessions).
Locations (1)
China Medical University Hospital
Taichung, Taiwan