Trial Outcomes & Findings for Acupuncture for Chronic Lymphedema (NCT NCT01706081)

NCT ID: NCT01706081

Last Updated: 2019-08-29

Results Overview

Changes in lymphedema between groups, as measured by mean arm circumference assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks from baseline.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

82 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

6 weeks

Results posted on

2019-08-29

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Acupuncture
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Overall Study
STARTED
40
42
Overall Study
COMPLETED
40
42
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Acupuncture for Chronic Lymphedema

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 Participants
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 Participants
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Total
n=82 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
65 years
n=5 Participants
58 years
n=7 Participants
61 years
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
40 Participants
n=5 Participants
42 Participants
n=7 Participants
82 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
31 Participants
n=5 Participants
32 Participants
n=7 Participants
63 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
40 Participants
n=5 Participants
42 Participants
n=7 Participants
82 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 weeks

Changes in lymphedema between groups, as measured by mean arm circumference assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks from baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 Participants
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 Participants
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Lymphedema as Measured at Baseline and at 6 Weeks
Baseline
4.74 cm
Standard Deviation 2.23
4.82 cm
Standard Deviation 2.32
Lymphedema as Measured at Baseline and at 6 Weeks
6 weeks
4.29 cm
Standard Deviation 2.67
4.76 cm
Standard Deviation 2.68

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 weeks

Bioimpedance measured using Impedimed L-Dex U400, which measures the rate of electrical current transmission through tissues and estimate fluid content in a lymphedematous limb compared with the normal limb.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 Participants
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 Participants
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Measurements for Bioimpedance for Treatment Arms at Baseline and 6 Weeks
Baseline
38.6 ohms
Standard Deviation 30.4
42.2 ohms
Standard Deviation 32.3
Measurements for Bioimpedance for Treatment Arms at Baseline and 6 Weeks
6 Week
35.9 ohms
Standard Deviation 27.4
40.3 ohms
Standard Deviation 35.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 1. 5 years

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 Participants
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 Participants
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Number of Participants Evaluated for Adverse Events
40 Participants
42 Participants

Adverse Events

Acupuncture

Serious events: 12 serious events
Other events: 20 other events
Deaths: 6 deaths

Wait-list

Serious events: 7 serious events
Other events: 11 other events
Deaths: 7 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 participants at risk
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 participants at risk
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia
5.0%
2/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastric Hemorrhage
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
General disorders
Gen disorders & admin site conditions Other, spec
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Renal and urinary disorders
Hematuria
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyponatremia
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hypophosphatemia
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Investigations
Neutrophil count decreased
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Investigations
Platelet count decreased
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pleural effusion
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Skin & subcutaneous tissue disorders Other, spec
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
4.8%
2/42 • 1 year
Cardiac disorders
Supraventricular tachycardia
2.5%
1/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pneumonitis
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Acupuncture
n=40 participants at risk
Patients in the acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. Acupuncture: Each treatment will be 30 minutes in duration. Patients will receive two acupuncture treatments each week for six consecutive weeks. Patients will be advised to continue their standard lymphedema treatments such as exercise or use of compression garments if these were in use prior to clinical trial participation.
Wait-list
n=42 participants at risk
Patients in the wait-list control group will cross over and receive acupuncture twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Wait-list: For participants in the wait-list control group, follow-up objective and subjective assessments of lymphedema will be performed after approximately 6 weeks on the wait-list, before onset of acupuncture treatment, following 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment and about 3 months after completion of treatment. BMI will be measured at the same timepoints.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia
7.5%
3/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperglycemia
7.5%
3/40 • 1 year
7.1%
3/42 • 1 year
Investigations
Lymphocyte count decreased
5.0%
2/40 • 1 year
2.4%
1/42 • 1 year
Investigations
Neutrophil count decreased
10.0%
4/40 • 1 year
4.8%
2/42 • 1 year
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in extremity
5.0%
2/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Investigations
Platelet count decreased
5.0%
2/40 • 1 year
0.00%
0/42 • 1 year
Investigations
White blood cell decreased
10.0%
4/40 • 1 year
4.8%
2/42 • 1 year
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dry Skin
0.00%
0/40 • 1 year
4.8%
2/42 • 1 year

Additional Information

Dr. Ting Bao MD

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Phone: 646-888-0865

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place