The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Nerve Pain Caused by Chemotherapy (Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy)

Inclusion Criteria

• English-proficient men and women aged >= 18 years
• Free of oncologic disease or stable disease by clinical examination and history
• Completed neurotoxic chemotherapy such as platinum agents, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and bortezomib at least three months prior to enrollment
• Diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) based on symptom history, loss of deep tendon reflexes, or the presence of symmetrical stocking-glove pain, numbness, or paresthesia
• Grade >= 1 sensory pain based on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0
• Self-reported moderate to severe CIPN pain, as defined by a score of 4 or greater on the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) average pain item over the past week
• On a stable regimen (no change in the past three months) if taking anti-neuropathy or other pain medications
• Willing to adhere to requirement that no new pain medication be taken throughout the first 12 weeks of the study period
• Willing to adhere to all study-related procedures, including randomization to one of the two possible acupuncture treatments

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with a pacemaker or other electronically charged medical device
• Use of acupuncture for symptom management within the past 12 months