Acupressure for the Reduction of Anxiety in Patients Receiving Cancer-Directed Therapy

Description

This clinicaI trial is being done to determine if acupressure is helpful to reduce anxiety related to chemotherapy, compared with "sham" (or placebo) acupressure in patients with cancer. Anxiety, experienced by many patients with cancer, can be related to chemotherapy and may contribute to other symptoms, such as nausea and poor quality of life. Some patients diagnosed with cancer express interest in non-medicine ways to manage symptoms. Acupressure is the application of non-invasive finger pressure along energy points throughout the body in order to relieve pain and induce a feeling of well-being. Previous research has shown that acupressure can help both adults and children with their anxiety in certain situations, such as after surgery. Patients can be taught how to do the acupressure on themselves, making this an intervention that can be done anywhere. Acupressure is well tolerated with minimal reports of adverse reactions. Undergoing acupressure may be effective in reducing anxiety in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Conditions

Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This clinicaI trial is being done to determine if acupressure is helpful to reduce anxiety related to chemotherapy, compared with "sham" (or placebo) acupressure in patients with cancer. Anxiety, experienced by many patients with cancer, can be related to chemotherapy and may contribute to other symptoms, such as nausea and poor quality of life. Some patients diagnosed with cancer express interest in non-medicine ways to manage symptoms. Acupressure is the application of non-invasive finger pressure along energy points throughout the body in order to relieve pain and induce a feeling of well-being. Previous research has shown that acupressure can help both adults and children with their anxiety in certain situations, such as after surgery. Patients can be taught how to do the acupressure on themselves, making this an intervention that can be done anywhere. Acupressure is well tolerated with minimal reports of adverse reactions. Undergoing acupressure may be effective in reducing anxiety in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Acupressure for Anxiety: a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Acupressure Intervention for Patients Receiving Cancer-Directed Therapy

Acupressure for the Reduction of Anxiety in Patients Receiving Cancer-Directed Therapy

Condition
Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Rochester

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905

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

  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Age \>= 18 years and be diagnosed with cancer
  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Undergoing systemic, antineoplastic therapy
  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Ability to provide oral consent
  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Willingness to undergo a nurse-led acupressure intervention
  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Willingness and ability to complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires in English
  • * NURSE-LED INTERVENTION: Report acute anxiety as a 5 or higher on a scale for 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (severe anxiety)
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Age \>= 18 years and be diagnosed with cancer
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Undergoing systemic, antineoplastic therapy
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Ability to provide oral consent
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Willingness to undergo a nurse-led acupressure intervention
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Willingness and ability to complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires in English
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Report acute anxiety as a 5 or higher on a scale for 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (severe anxiety)
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Reports 2+/day anxiety episodes at home
  • * SELF-ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION: Interested in learning self-administered acupressure

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Mayo Clinic,

Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Study Record Dates

2025-05-30