Acutherapy to Prevent Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgias in Non-Hispanic Black Postmenopausal Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Description

This clinical trial evaluates if in-person acupuncture or virtual acupressure therapy prevents aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain in Non-Hispanic Black postmenopausal women with stage I-III (early-stage) hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are medications that prevent the formation of the hormone estrogen. They are used in the treatment of postmenopausal women who have hormone-dependent breast cancer. AI therapy prolongs life among patients with early-stage HR+ breast cancer. Many postmenopausal women stop AI therapy early due to debilitating joint pain (arthralgias). Non-Hispanic Black women are more likely to experience side effects and stop their hormonal therapy compared to Non-Hispanic white women. Acupuncture therapy involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain. Acupressure therapy uses the application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms such as pain. Acupuncture and acupressure are types of complementary and alternative medicine. Undergoing in-person acupuncture or participating in virtual acupressure may prevent AI-associated arthralgias (AIAA) in Non-Hispanic Black postmenopausal women with early-stage HR+ breast cancer.

Conditions

Anatomic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC V8, Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC V8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC V8, HER2-Negative Breast Carcinoma, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Carcinoma

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This clinical trial evaluates if in-person acupuncture or virtual acupressure therapy prevents aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain in Non-Hispanic Black postmenopausal women with stage I-III (early-stage) hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are medications that prevent the formation of the hormone estrogen. They are used in the treatment of postmenopausal women who have hormone-dependent breast cancer. AI therapy prolongs life among patients with early-stage HR+ breast cancer. Many postmenopausal women stop AI therapy early due to debilitating joint pain (arthralgias). Non-Hispanic Black women are more likely to experience side effects and stop their hormonal therapy compared to Non-Hispanic white women. Acupuncture therapy involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain. Acupressure therapy uses the application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms such as pain. Acupuncture and acupressure are types of complementary and alternative medicine. Undergoing in-person acupuncture or participating in virtual acupressure may prevent AI-associated arthralgias (AIAA) in Non-Hispanic Black postmenopausal women with early-stage HR+ breast cancer.

Preventing Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgias Among Non-Hispanic Black Postmenopausal Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Acutherapy to Prevent Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgias in Non-Hispanic Black Postmenopausal Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Condition
Anatomic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC V8
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30303

Atlanta

Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30308

Atlanta

Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

Atlanta

Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30342

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age ≥ 18 years
  • * Self-identified Non-Hispanic Black woman
  • * Postmenopausal status (\>= 12 months since last menstrual period, history of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone \[FSH\], and luteinizing hormone \[LH\] levels consistent with menopause)
  • * Diagnosed with stage I-III HR+/HER2 negative (-) breast cancer
  • * Completed all phases of active therapy (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation) at least 14 days before study enrollment
  • * Planned to start adjuvant AI
  • * Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
  • * Premenopausal status
  • * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to acupuncture needles or other agents used in study
  • * Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy
  • * A history of or current CDK 4/6 inhibitor use
  • * A history of neoadjuvant AI use
  • * Use of adjuvant AI \> 14 days
  • * Received acupuncture within 60 days prior to start of study

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Demetria Smith-Graziani, MD,MPH, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31