Acupuncture for Improving Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Diverse Underserved Cancer Survivors, ReIMAGINE Trial
This clinical trial evaluates whether acupuncture can improve chronic musculoskeletal pain in diverse underserved cancer survivors. Cancer survivors represent one of the largest and fastest growing populations in the United States. Over a third of cancer survivors are inadequately treated for pain which correlates with worse quality of life, physical functioning, and other health-related outcomes. Previous studies with acupuncture have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain management in cancer survivors. However, these studies did not include many non-white and/or Hispanic patients. Non-white or Hispanic survivors are not only under-treated for their pain but also have higher mortality (death) from cancer. Acupuncture has also been shown to be less available in community-based centers, where many patients receive their care. Acupuncture is a medical technique that involves insertion of very thin needles into specific areas on the body with the goal of promoting health and well-being. It has been widely used to treat different types of pain, but researchers think acupuncture can also improve chronic musculoskeletal pain in diverse cancer survivors. Acupuncture may be effective in improving chronic musculoskeletal pain in diverse underserved cancer survivors.