Acupuncture and Pain Counseling in Reducing Pain and Symptom Distress in Hospitalized Cancer Patients

This trial studies how well acupuncture and pain counseling work in reducing pain and symptoms distress in hospitalized patients with cancer. Acupuncture uses thin needles placed along specific points to reduce pain. Pain counselling may be an effective method to help patients learn about pain management. Non-pharmacologic approaches such as acupuncture and pain counseling may broaden pain management options to help in providing comprehensive care for diverse patients with cancer.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients admitted to University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Mission Bay Hospital or Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) with a malignant solid tumor (e.g., breast, gastrointestinal, genito-urologic, gynecologic, head and neck, lung cancers, or lymphoma)
• Speak Cantonese, English, or Spanish
• Have an anticipated stay of >= 48 hours
• Have pain intensity of >= 4 out of 10 for worst pain in the prior 24 hours when enrolled

Exclusion Criteria

• Acupuncture contraindication (e.g., sepsis)
• Unstable medical condition (e.g., severe pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction)
• Admission to the psychiatric ward (e.g., for severe depression)
• Inability to consent (e.g., cognitive impairment)
• Prior involvement with the study (e.g., readmissions)
• Platelets < 50,000 uL
• Absolute neutrophil count < 500 uL
• Clostridium (C.) difficile infection

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Determine the effectiveness of adjunctive acupuncture and of pain counseling for improving pain management.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Determine the extent that adjunctive acupuncture and pain counseling reduce use of opioid analgesics and side effects.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. Examine stakeholder perspectives on non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 4 arms.

ARM I: Along with standard of care pain medication, patients undergo acupuncture over 30-60 minutes on days 1-4.

ARM II: Along with standard of care pain medication, patients undergo pain counselling over 30-60 minutes on days 1-4.

ARM III: Along with standard of care pain medication, patients undergo acupuncture and pain counseling over 30-60 minutes on days 1-4.

ARM IV: Patients receive standard of care pain medication.

After patients are discharged from the hospital, they will be followed up within 3 days and at 1 and 3 months.

Lead Organization
UCSF Medical Center-Mount Zion

Principal Investigator
Maria Chao