Trial reportSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026
Effect of contact needle technique on cancer-related fatigue in palliative care patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
15 authors.
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Abstract
purposeCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating symptom in palliative care, with limited effective treatments. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of K-style contact needle technique (CNT), a non-invasive form of traditional Japanese acupuncture, for alleviating CRF.
methodsIn this multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial, 119 patients with stage III or IV cancer and moderate to severe fatigue (≥ 4 on a Numerical Rating Scale [NRS]) were randomized to receive either CNT or sham CNT weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was change in fatigue NRS scores. Secondary outcomes included the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Support Team Assessment Schedule-Japanese version (STAS-J), Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI), Palliative Performance Scale (PPS), salivary amylase activity (SAA), and adverse events.
resultsAlthough no significant difference was observed in the primary outcome between groups by t test, multiple regression analysis at Week 4 revealed a significant treatment effect for CNT (β = 1.548, p = 0.029). CNT also improved STAS-J scores (β = 1.758, p = 0.044) and reduced SAA at Week 2 and final evaluation (p < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred.
conclusionsCNT may be a safe, gentle, and potentially effective intervention for managing fatigue and distress in palliative care patients with advanced cancer. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.
trial registrationUMIN000028304, registered on July 21st, 2017; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000032401.
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