This early phase I trial studies how well auricular point acupressure therapy works in treating aromatase inhibitor musculoskeletal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Auricular point acupressure stimulates specific points on the ear to provide quick pain relief. Auricular point acupressure may help reduce the side effects of aromatase inhibitor treatment while avoiding additional side effects.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT03697200.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To develop a smartphone application (app) so that breast cancer survivors (BCS) can learn auricular point acupressure (APA) to self-manage aromatase inhibitor musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS).
II. To examine clinical outcomes of the APA on AIMSS between three groups of BCS who will receive: (1) APA app with in-person training; (2) APA app only for self-learning; and (3) education to control time and attention.
III. To explore the central and peripheral modulatory analgesic effects of APA on AIMSS among three groups of BCS with AIMSS.
OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.
ARM I: Participants receive in-person training on APA once weekly and use APA smartphone app for 4 weeks.
ARM II: Participants use APA smartphone app for 4 weeks.
ARM III: Participants receive educational intervention to control time and attention for 4 weeks.
After completion of study, participants are followed up monthly for 3 months.
Lead OrganizationJohns Hopkins University/Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Principal InvestigatorChao Hsing Yeh
