Clinical trialNo phase (not a drug trial)Terminated
Feasibility of Auricular Acupressure for Appetite and Weight in Patients With Stage II-IV Gastric, Esophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer
A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Effects of an Acupressure Intervention on Appetite and Weight in Patients With Gastric, Esophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer: A Pilot and Feasibility Study
- Outcome
- Stopped early. Results posted; no analysis attachedStudy closed per SRC Low Accrual Policy. (Enrollment)
- Phase
- No phase (not a drug trial)
- Status
- Terminated
- Study type
- Interventional
- Start
- 22 July 2024
- Ended
- 9 July 2025
- Enrollment
- 3 participants
- Sites
- 1
- Primary outcomes
- Accrual (Feasibility); Retention (Feasibility); Intervention Adherence (Feasibility); Intervention Fidelity (Feasibility); Acceptability (Feasibility)
- Sponsor type
- Academic / other
- Results posted
- 3 November 2026
- Last update
- 3 November 2026
These fields come from the trial’s registry entry. A summary of its population, design, endpoints and results, each tied to a quote, has not been written for this trial yet.
Results
- Primary endpoint
- Results posted; no analysis attachedAs posted on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗, registry record of 3 November 2026
- Primary outcome
- Accrual (Feasibility)Arm II (Usual Care): 3 of 3Values: ParticipantsTime frame: Up to 2 years, during study accrualNo analysis posted for this outcome (outcome 1)
- Primary outcome
- Retention (Feasibility)Arm II (Usual Care): 1 of 3Values: ParticipantsTime frame: Up to 8 weeksNo analysis posted for this outcome (outcome 2)
- Primary outcome, no data
- Intervention Adherence (Feasibility)The registry’s note: All randomized participants were allocated to Arm II (usual care). No participants elected to receive the acupressure therapy intervention either due to participant preference, expiration, or lost to follow-up.
- Primary outcome, no data
- Intervention Fidelity (Feasibility)The registry’s note: All randomized participants were allocated to Arm II (usual care). As no participants received the acupressure intervention, fidelity to protocol could not be analyzed.
- Primary outcome, no data
- Acceptability (Feasibility)The registry’s note: All randomized participants were allocated to Arm II (usual care). As no participants received the acupressure intervention, acceptability could not be analyzed.
- Participants
- Arm I (Acupressure Therapy): 0 started, 0 completedArm II (Usual Care): 3 started, 1 completed
- Serious adverse events
- Arm I (Acupressure Therapy): 0 of 0Arm II (Usual Care): 0 of 3Participants with at least one serious adverse event, of those at risk, as posted
4 secondary outcomes
- Change in Appetite
- Arm II (Usual Care) 1.5 (-1 to 2), n=2 [median score on a scale, Full Range]
- Change in Appetite
- Arm II (Usual Care) -3, n=1 [score on a scale]
- Change in Body Weight (kg)
- Arm II (Usual Care) -0.27, n=1 [kg]
- Change in Body Weight (kg)
- Arm II (Usual Care) -1.72, n=1 [kg]
Every value is copied from the trial’s results record at ClinicalTrials.gov. “Statistically significant” describes the posted test only: it does not say which group did better, and nothing here is read from a paper.
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Brief summary public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
This clinical trial evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of acupressure to the ear (auricular) to address appetite and weight in patients with stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer. Cancer anorexia, the abnormal loss of appetite, directly leads to cancer-associated weight loss (cachexia) through malnourishment, reduced caloric intake, treatment side-effects, and other modifiable risk factors. Cachexia prolongs length of hospital stay for patients, negatively impacts treatment tolerance and adherence, and reduces overall patient quality of life. Auricular acupressure is a form of micro-acupuncture that exerts its effect by stimulating the central nervous system using adhesive taped pellets applied to specific locations on the external ear. The use of these pellets to deliver auricular acupressure has been shown to improve pain, fatigue, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, depression, and quality of life in both cancer and non-cancer settings. Auricular acupressure is a safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive approach to addressing cancer-related symptoms and treatment side-effects and may be effective at improving appetite and weight loss in stage II-IV gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer patients.
Detailed description public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients undergo auricular acupressure in addition to their usual care on study. Patients also undergo collection of blood samples on study. ARM II: Patients receive usual care on study. Patients also undergo collection of blood samples on study. After completion of study treatment, patients in Arm II are followed up at 8 weeks after active treatment ends.
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · primary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Accrual (Feasibility) [Up to 2 years, during study accrual]. Count Of Participants, Participants. Arm II (Usual Care) (n=3): 3.
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · primary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Retention (Feasibility) [Up to 8 weeks]. Count Of Participants, Participants. Arm II (Usual Care) (n=3): 1.
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · primary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Intervention Adherence (Feasibility) [Up to 8 weeks].
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · primary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Intervention Fidelity (Feasibility) [Up to 8 weeks].
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · primary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Acceptability (Feasibility) [Up to 16 weeks].
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · secondary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Change in Appetite [Baseline to week 4]. Median, score on a scale (Full Range). Arm II (Usual Care) (n=2): 1.5 (-1 to 2).
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · secondary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Change in Appetite [Baseline to week 8]. Number, score on a scale. Arm II (Usual Care) (n=1): -3.
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · secondary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Change in Body Weight (kg) [Baseline to week 4]. Number, kg. Arm II (Usual Care) (n=1): -0.27.
Posted results (ClinicalTrials.gov registry) · secondary outcome public domain (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Change in Body Weight (kg) [Baseline to week 8]. Number, kg. Arm II (Usual Care) (n=1): -1.72.