An interventional study of electroacupuncture+ self-acupressure and sham electroacupuncture + sham self-acupressure in Electroacupuncture, Quality of Life (QOL) and Acupressure, sponsored by Jiuda Zhao. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-12.
Sponsored by Jiuda Zhao · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture combined with self-acupressure on the quality of life of early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
This study is a parallel-group, blinded (participant, evaluator, and statisticians), randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture combined with self-acupressure on the quality of life of early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients in each group will receive electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture during the first week of the chemotherapy cycle. They will receive self-acupressure or sham acupressure during the second and third weeks of the chemotherapy cycle. Participants will be asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L and FACT-B scales. Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will receive two electroacupuncture treatments during the first week of the chemotherapy cycle. The acupuncturist will insert needles into the acupoints and manipulate the needles until"de qi"sensation is achieved and reported by the participants. Electrical stimulation will be delivered for 30 minutes at alternating frequencies of 2/10Hz. Participants will do acupressure daily during the second week of the chemotherapy cycle (two weeks for one chemotherapy cycle) or the second and third weeks (three weeks for one chemotherapy cycle). participants performed true self-acupressure, pressing each acupoint with their thumb to achieve "deqi" for three minutes.
Combination Product: electroacupuncture+ self-acupressure
The sham acupuncture is the use of minimally invasive shallow needle insertion using thin and short needles at body locations not recognized as true acupuncture points and are deemed to not belong to traditional Chinese meridians and have no therapeutic value. Participants will receive minimal acupuncture treatment without electrical stimulation at the same time as the intervention group. Care was taken to avoid "de qi" sensation. Sham self-acupressure: Administered non-acupressure points 1 to 3cm away from the true acupressure points used in the experimental group and away from known meridians. The frequency, course duration, and overall treatment time will be the same as those in the true self-administered shiatsu group. The applied pressure does not cause a feeling of "deqi".
Combination Product: sham electroacupuncture + sham self-acupressure
Participants will receive two electroacupuncture treatments within the first week of each treatment cycle. The acupuncturist inserts the needle into the point and manipulates the needle until the feeling of "deqi"; is achieved and reported by the participant. The electrical stimulation will be administered at a sustained frequency of 2/10Hz for 30 minutes. self-acupressure: In weeks 2 and 3 of each treatment cycle, participants performed true self-administered acupressure, pressing each acupoint with their thumb to achieve "deqi"; for three minutes.
Sham electroacupuncture: The sham electroacupuncture shallow needle insertion using thin and short needles at body locations not recognized as true acupuncture points and are deemed to not belong to traditional Chinese meridians and have no therapeutic value. Participants will receive acupuncture treatment without electrical stimulation same the intervention group. And avoid "deqi"; sensation. Sham self-acupressure: Administered non-acupressure points 1 to 3cm away from the true acupressure points used in the experimental group and away from known meridians. The frequency, course duration, and overall treatment time will be the same as those in the true self-administered shiatsu group. The applied pressure does not cause a feeling of "deqi".
Differences in quality of life during the overall stage
Difference in change in EQ-5D-5L scores from first to last assessment between two arms
Time frame: Chemotherapy treatment was initiated to 21 days after the last chemotherapy cycle
Differences in quality of life during the overall stage
Difference in change in FACT-B scores from first to last assessment between two arms
Time frame: Chemotherapy treatment was initiated to 21 days after the last chemotherapy cycle
Changes in scores on the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L
Changes in mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort,anxiety/depression before and after chemotherapy.
Time frame: Chemotherapy treatment was initiated to 21 days after the last chemotherapy cycle
Changes in the dimensions of the FACT-B scale
Physical functioning, social/family functioning, emotional functioning and functional status before and after chemotherapy
Time frame: Chemotherapy treatment was initiated to 21 days after the last chemotherapy cycle
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Jiuda Zhao