Acupressure for Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Patients With Breast Cancer

NCT ID: NCT06228768

Last Updated: 2025-12-23

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-03-06
• Study Completion Date: 2025-11-16

Brief Summary

This is a randomized, double-blinded trial of self-acupressure to examine the effect of treatment on aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but uses pressure rather than needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Acupressure involves applying mild to moderate physical pressure using your fingers, or an assistive device, to these points to try to bring about a physiological change in your body, in this case relief from joint pain and stiffness. The investigators will also examine effects of acupressure on other symptoms that commonly develop in AI-treated patients. In addition, changes in stool microbiome with acupressure treatment will be examined in an exploratory way to obtain preliminary information about the effect of acupressure on the gut microbiome in this condition.

Conditions

Postmenopausal; Breast Cancer

Keywords

acupressure; arthralgia; aromatase inhibitor; joint pain; AIMSS

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Acupressure Arm 1

There are 5 acupoints with 4 of the acupoints performed on both the left and right sides of the body. Each of the 9 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point with the AcuWand giving a total treatment time of 27 minutes daily. The relaxation acupoints are unlisted in order to maintain blinding.

Group Type: OTHER

Acupressure

Intervention Type: OTHER

9 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point

Acupressure Arm 2

There are 5 acupoints with 4 of the acupoints performed on both the left and right sides of the body. Each of the 9 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point giving a total treatment time of 27 minutes daily. The acupoints are unlisted in order to maintain blinding.

Group Type: OTHER

Acupressure

Intervention Type: OTHER

9 areas will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point

Interventions

Acupressure

9 acupoints will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point

Intervention Type: OTHER

Acupressure

9 areas will be stimulated for 3 minutes per point

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Female or male subject aged ≥ 18 years
• Taking the currently prescribed aromatase inhibitor therapy (anastrozole, exemestane, or letrozole) for adjuvant or palliative treatment of breast cancer or for chemoprevention for at least 3 weeks and no more than 2 years at the time of enrollment.
• Planning to take the same AI therapy for at least 12 weeks.
• New or worsening joint pain and/or myalgias since starting the AI therapy, with worst pain score of at least 4 out of 10 on the BPI over the 7 days prior to enrollment.
• Completion of radiation therapy, if given, for treatment of breast cancer.
• Completion of chemotherapy, if given. Concurrent use of LHRHa therapy, anti-HER2 therapy, bisphosphonate therapy, PARP inhibitor therapy, and CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy is permitted.
• Patients receiving treatment with NSAIDs, acetaminophen, opioids, duloxetine, cannabinoids, gabapentin, and/or pregabalin must have been taking a stable dose for at least 30 days prior to enrollment if they plan to continue the drug during study participation. If they do not plan to take the medication during study participation, they should stop the medication at least 7 days before initiation of study treatment.
• Able to self-complete questionnaires in English.
• Able to access WiFi/internet and willing to use an email account or download and use the MyDataHelps app.
• Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria

• Use of acupuncture or acupressure in the past year, or planned use of acupuncture during study participation.
• Use of systemic or transdermal estrogen during study participation.
• Planned surgery during the 12-week study period.
• Concurrent medical or arthritis disease such as painful bone metastases or active rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory arthritis that could confound or interfere with evaluation of pain or efficacy. Patients with osteoarthritis and asymptomatic bone metastases are eligible.
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment, in the opinion of the treating investigator, has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Norah Henry

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Locations

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Countries

United States

References

Henry NL, Kidwell KM, Kozar S, Snyder S, Zick SM. Self-acupressure for patients with breast cancer experiencing aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms: Protocol for the AcuAIM randomized pilot trial. PLoS One. 2025 Jan 22;20(1):e0311044. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311044. eCollection 2025.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 39841658 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

https://UMHealthResearch.org/studies/HUM00241228

Related Info

Other Identifiers

UMCC 2023.084

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

HUM00241228

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

BCRF-23-206

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id