Electroacupuncture in Treating Chronic Dry Mouth Caused By Radiation Therapy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cancer, Other Indications |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Oncology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - 89 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | February 2006 |
Electroacupuncture for Xerostomia in Head and Neck Patients
RATIONALE: Electroacupuncture may help relieve chronic dry mouth caused by radiation
therapy. It is not yet known whether electroacupuncture is more effective than a placebo in
treating chronic dry mouth caused by radiation therapy in patients with head and neck
cancer.
PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying electroacupuncture to see how well it
works compared with a placebo in treating chronic dry mouth caused by radiation therapy in
patients with head and neck cancer.
therapy. It is not yet known whether electroacupuncture is more effective than a placebo in
treating chronic dry mouth caused by radiation therapy in patients with head and neck
cancer.
PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying electroacupuncture to see how well it
works compared with a placebo in treating chronic dry mouth caused by radiation therapy in
patients with head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
- To determine if electrostimulation using the Liss stimulator can objectively improve
salivary flow as measured by sialometry compared to a placebo device in patients with
chronic radiation-induced xerostomia and head and neck cancer.
- To determine if electrostimulation using the Liss Stimulator can improve the subjective
sensation of mouth dryness compared to a placebo device.
- To characterize the effect of electrostimulation using the Liss stimulator on quality
of life compared to a placebo device.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.
- Arm I: Patients undergo placement of electrodes to the following acupuncture points:
stomach, liver, pericardium, small intestine, and large intestine. Patients then
undergo electro-stimulation of the acupuncture points using the Liss Stimulator for 20
minutes once a day for 10 days and then 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
- Arm II (placebo): Patients undergo placement of electrodes to the following acupuncture
points: stomach, liver, pericardium, small intestine, and large intestine. A device
that does not produce an electric current is placed over the electrodes for 20 minutes
once a day for 10 days and then 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
Patients complete questionnaires, including the Brief Pain Inventory, the Xerostomia
Inventory, and a subscale of the University of Washington Head and Neck Symptom Scale, at
baseline, on days 5 and 10 of treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after completion of
treatment. Sialometry (unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva measurement) is also
performed at the same time points.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 1, 3, and 6 months.
- To determine if electrostimulation using the Liss stimulator can objectively improve
salivary flow as measured by sialometry compared to a placebo device in patients with
chronic radiation-induced xerostomia and head and neck cancer.
- To determine if electrostimulation using the Liss Stimulator can improve the subjective
sensation of mouth dryness compared to a placebo device.
- To characterize the effect of electrostimulation using the Liss stimulator on quality
of life compared to a placebo device.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.
- Arm I: Patients undergo placement of electrodes to the following acupuncture points:
stomach, liver, pericardium, small intestine, and large intestine. Patients then
undergo electro-stimulation of the acupuncture points using the Liss Stimulator for 20
minutes once a day for 10 days and then 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
- Arm II (placebo): Patients undergo placement of electrodes to the following acupuncture
points: stomach, liver, pericardium, small intestine, and large intestine. A device
that does not produce an electric current is placed over the electrodes for 20 minutes
once a day for 10 days and then 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
Patients complete questionnaires, including the Brief Pain Inventory, the Xerostomia
Inventory, and a subscale of the University of Washington Head and Neck Symptom Scale, at
baseline, on days 5 and 10 of treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after completion of
treatment. Sialometry (unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva measurement) is also
performed at the same time points.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 1, 3, and 6 months.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
- Diagnosis of primary head and neck cancer
- Has undergone radiotherapy either as primary or adjuvant therapy ≥ 6 months ago
- One or more parotid glands must have been in the prior radiotherapy field
- Residual xerostomia after radiotherapy deemed to be significant by patient
- Failed to respond to a trial of pilocarpine for relief of xerostomia
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
- ECOG performance status 0-3
- Life expectancy ≥ 1 year (based on physician's judgment)
- Able to attend the scheduled study treatments
- Alert and mentally competent
- Not pregnant
- Willing to use contraception during study treatment, if of childbearing age
- No history of Sjögren's disease
- No cardiac pacemaker or any other electrical devices permanently implanted within the
body (e.g., dorsal column stimulator)
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
- See Disease Characteristics
- More than 2 weeks since prior medication that may cause mouth dryness (e.g.,
antihistamines, narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants)
We found this trial at
1
site
Mayo Clinic Arizona Mayo Clinic in Arizona provides medical care for thousands of people from...
Click here to add this to my saved trials
