Acupuncture for Post-Thoracotomy Pain

Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: Acupuncture for Post-Thoracotomy Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Pain after surgery for lung cancer (thoracotomy) may persist for years and require long-term analgesic use. Prior studies have shown that acupuncture reduces pain and medication use in the early post-operative period after abdominal surgery, suggesting that acupuncture may have a role in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain. This study is being done in order to determine the effects of acupuncture on pain in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

Clinical Trial Description

Rationale:

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into the skin to treat symptoms. In recent years, researchers have come to understand how acupuncture might work in terms of nerve stimulation and the release of chemical messages in the body. Researchers have found evidence that acupuncture is useful in treating a variety of conditions, including headache, nausea, and pain after surgery.

Pain is a common problem after surgery for lung cancer. Many patients experience pain in the first few days after surgery, despite medication. In some patients, this pain can last for many months or years afterwards.

Purpose:

A pilot study of acupuncture in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery was conducted previously and found that this study was feasible to implement and well-received by patients. We now wish to conduct a larger study in order to determine the effects of acupuncture on pain in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

• To determine whether acupuncture versus placebo acupuncture after thoracotomy reduces pain or analgesic use

• To determine whether acupuncture affects the immediate post-operative period and/or 30, 60,90 days and approximately 12 months later. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Subject), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Lung Cancer
• Pain

• NCT number: NCT00142532
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: June 2005
• Completion date: January 2008