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Evaluating the Optimal Timing of Acupuncture for Managing Chemoradiation-induced Xerostomia in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers

NCT07674706 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2026-06-29

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

While existing data supports the use of acupuncture to reduce radiation-induced xerostomia, the optimal timing of acupuncture for managing chemoradiation-induced xerostomia remains an area of active investigation. Prior studies have administered acupuncture either in patients who developed xerostomia 12 months after radiation 10 or during the radiation therapy itself 9. The hypothesis is that acupuncture may be more effective in preventing and reducing xerostomia when administered early during CRT, rather than after chronic xerostomia has already set in. Yet, oncologists have concerns about the potentially higher risk of complications, such as infection, associated with acupuncture, especially if administered concurrently with chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, this study aims to conduct this randomised trial to evaluate the impact of early versus delayed acupuncture on patient-reported and objective measures of xerostomia, as well as the safety and tolerability of acupuncture in this setting.

To our knowledge, this will be the first randomised clinical trial evaluating the optimal timing for incorporating acupuncture to reduce xerostomia in patients undergoing chemoradiation for head and neck cancers. It is also the first study conducted in Singapore to study the role of acupuncture in reducing CRT-induced xerostomia.

Conditions

  • Xerostomia
  • Head Cancer
  • Neck Cancer
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
  • Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Acupuncture

Standardized techniques for point location will be utilized, based on anatomical landmarks as well as proportional measurements using the patient's own body. For example, finger breadth will be based on each patient's middle finger, and the proportional unit of measure, the "cun," is defined as the distance between the two medial ends of the creases of the interphalangeal joints when the middle finger is flexed. The selected body acupuncture points are tai xi (KI3), zhao hai (KI6), lie que (LU7), cheng jiang (CV24), he gu (LI4), yu ji (LU10). Ear acupuncture points are shen men (Shenmen), yan hou (Larynx), er zhong (Point Zero), nei fen mi (Salivary Gland 2'). Except for cheng jiang (CV24) that is located in the midline, all points will be treated bilaterally. Needles will be inserted in all acupuncture points at each visit.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National University Hospital, Singapore

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Wan Qin Chong · National University Hospital, Singapore

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-06-30
Primary Completion
2029-06-30
Completion
2029-06-30

Countries

  • Singapore

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07674706 on ClinicalTrials.gov